Free Helpline Soothes Romanians’ Coronavirus Fears

Besides the evident threat posed by the epidemic to the economy and health services, the coronavirus outbreak has struck fear into the collective psyche, leading to panic attacks and anxiety among populations exposed to a threat of unknown and uncertain magnitude.

"It all started at a personal level, when I decided to regularly call a number of people I care about to find out how they were doing and if they needed anything," Yolanda Cretescu told BIRN, explaining how she came up with the idea.

"I was calling family members, friends who live alone and even former patients of mine," added Cretescu, who last year co-founded a psychological assistance platform, depreHUB, and a helpline to deal with depression and anxiety, TelVerde. 

"That's how we decided to create a separate new helpline exclusively dedicated to the current situation," she said, referring to the coronavirus outbreak in Romania, where over 60 people have been diagnosed.

When the new helpline opened on Thursday, it already fielded around a hundred calls. The number of users is growing after local media reported about the helpline, which supplies advice in both Romanian and English and is open 24 hours a day. 

Among those seeking help, Cretescu explained, are students who now feel cut off in Bucharest or other cities. "They are young and far away from their families and fear that this illness could kill their relatives," the psychologist said, noting that her callers also include foreign students stuck in Romania due to the epidemic.

"We also have people living by themselves who somehow have a fear that produces irrational thoughts and are scared of dying alone at home," she added, pointing out that most of those who call suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.