Remote Psychological Counseling During Covid-19: A Proposal from a Public University in Paraná

Abstract

Throughout the pandemic, mental health services using Information and Communication Technologies were recommended to mitigate the impact of social distancing measures. This study analyzes the demands and interventions of a remote psychological counseling program by telephone, promoted by a university in Paraná. It is a descriptive and quantitative study based on data from 60 counseling records conducted over 24 weeks. The predominant age group was 51 to 60 years of age (21.7%). A significant increase in psychological symptoms during the pandemic was observed, including sleep and appetite changes, stress-related physical symptoms, and episodes of depressive mood. The main interventions were psychoeducation (78.3%) and strategies to manage suffering (68.3%), while referrals to specialized services occurred in 21.7% of cases. The results suggest that psychological counseling via telephone was an effective strategy to address mental health needs during the pandemic, highlighting its potential as an accessible and efficient resource in crisis scenarios.