RCS & RDS together with the Save the Children Organization announced today the launch of a dedicated phone line to psychologically advise parents and children who stay in a prolonged period of isolation at home during the Coronavirus pandemic.
RCS & RDS makes available to any Romanians, whether they are parents or children, who need psychological counseling, the possibility to ask for help during this difficult period to get over the fact that they have to spend more time than usually at home.
"Bucharest, April 15, 2020: In this period, as much as we would like to protect ourselves from the events that shake the usual rhythm of life, it is impossible. As the spread of Covid-19 causes more and more concern among us adults, it is natural to think about how this pandemic can affect the emotional balance of children. For them, in addition to immediate intervention measures and material support, Save the Children and Digi Romania are launching 0800.070.009 Family Tel, a free phone line where parents and guardians of children can call for psychological counseling and help to manage the condition as best as possible children's emotional
A team of 16 psychologists from the Save the Children Organization from Suceava, Iași, Timișoara, Târgu Mureș and Bucharest will offer counseling and psychological support, according to a specific protocol for crisis situations. Family Tel 0800.070.009 can be called free of charge, from Monday to Friday, between 11.00 and 19.00.
The service is mainly addressed to parents whose children experience emotional and behavioral difficulties induced by social isolation, as part of the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but also to other adults who need emotional support in this context.
"We are facing a multifaceted situational crisis: unknown virus, the possibility of infecting ourselves (us or those close to us), concerns for those at a distance, isolation and social distancing, concerns about the workplace, the announced financial crisis, etc. . In such situations that lead to the amplification of the felt stress, the adult must be a source of safety and comfort for the child. Both the adult and the child can experience, in situations of high stress, states such as: anxiety, helplessness, anger, shame/guilt, confusion or fear.
So, during this period it is possible to experience these negative emotions more frequently, perceived as unpleasant and stressful. They are, in fact, emotional responses that people experience in such situations. It is absolutely necessary to normalize the emotions experienced, without trying to minimize the situation, but the emphasis must be placed on the positive aspects, which relate to what each of us can do, to overcome the crisis and maintain emotional balance", explained Gabriela Alexandrescu, Executive President of Save the Children Romania."
