On 24 September, a free helpline will be launched for adult women who are at a difficult time in their lives and need to speak to a specialist. Psychologists with many years of experience will be on duty on Mondays (17.00 - 21.00) and Thursdays (10.00 - 14.00) on the free phone number 800 909 444.
Autumn mood depression affects approximately 10% patients, and more often afflicts women[1]. This year, an additional significant factor contributing to increased emotional lability is the overload and stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic[2]. To meet the needs of women, a new project created for those who are at a difficult time in their lives and need to talk to a specialist, get support or help finding beneficial solutions to current family, professional and personal problems and difficulties will be launched on 24 September.
The experts on duty at the helpline are psychologists with many years' experience, who offer support in the psychological, therapeutic and developmental fields, e.g. in cases of experiencing severe stress, child-rearing difficulties, problems coping with difficult emotions or experiencing psychological and physical violence. The specialists are guided by the principle of confidentiality of the content heard and the anonymity of the caller. In addition, they take care to respect each person who asks for help, without judging or valuing their attitudes or behaviour.
– It is not uncommon for an emotional crisis to make it difficult to see for oneself the most helpful solutions at the time, to lead to self-blame for failures and to cause mental imbalance. Therefore, the task of the helpline therapist is to support women in finding the most effective solutions to their problems. Talking to someone who looks at the problem from a different perspective, objectively without strong emotions, can change the optics and show new possibilities for dealing with difficult life situations. It is also the expert's task to refer the remote support users to local specialists and support institutions in order to continue the support - comments Agnieszka Górecka, Vice President of the Board of Directors, Director of the Education and Health Promotion Programme of the Social Education Foundation.
The project by Gedeon Richter and the Social Education Foundation addresses a current need. UN experts alert that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people experience feelings of anxiety due to social isolation, fear of infection, and loss of family members. Women are more likely to experience negative psychological effects (66% female respondents)[3].
– As a company whose priority is to protect women's health, we cannot remain indifferent to the clear need in the psychological and therapeutic area during the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation surrounding the epidemic took everyone by surprise without exception. None of us was prepared for such a big change, let alone one so sudden and introducing so many restrictions. Difficult access to medical services, isolation, education and working remotely are all factors that can affect the mental state of women in Poland, as confirmed by the survey 'Happiness and femininity in times of change' conducted by SW Research on behalf of Gedeon Richter, in which more than a third of female respondents signalled, that The effects of overload and stress naturally translate into an emotional state and a less stable mood. Telephone counselling is a form of conversation that ensures anonymity and gives the caller a sense of intimacy, moreover are an excellent solution at a time when we should minimise the risk of direct contact due to the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection - highlights Aneta Grzegorzewska, Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at Gedeon Richter Polska.
For more information see www.fes.edu.pl
[1] https://nazdrowie.pl/artykul/dietetyka/jesienne-obnizenie-nastroju/
[2] Report "Happiness and femininity in a time of change" commissioned by Gedeon Richter Ltd.
[3] https://pulsmedycyny.pl/pandemia-covid-19-niezbedne-sa-inwestycje-na-rzecz-zdrowia-psychicznego-raport-onz-991229