Psychology students launch Corona crisis line

"The authorities are overloaded and have to take care of the sick. The citizens' hotline is also overly frequented by the lonely, the anxious, the worried. Here we can provide relief," explains initiator Prof. Dr. Heidi Möller; she heads the Department of Theory and Methodology of Counseling at the University of Kassel. "Of course, we can't offer medical help. But our students are well trained for counseling people in emotional distress."

The young people are about 20 students in the master's program in "Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy." They are being trained for the task in addition to their academic background. Professor Möller provides supervision. "A clinical internship is planned for these students, which can hardly take place under the current conditions," Möller says. If needed, work on the worry phone is now recognized as an internship. However, many volunteers without internship needs have also come forward, reports Möller, who is herself a trained psychotherapist.

"Typical questions might be: How can I cope well with isolation from my friends? How do I organize my home office with children in a meaningful way? How can my brooding come to an end? What to do when things get more conflictual in the family? How do I confront my children's fears?" explains Möller. The hotline complements similar services offered by the city and other agencies. "We are working closely with health department head Ulrike Gote."

The telephone number 0561 / 804-2882* is manned every seven days of the week from 10 am - 8 pm. The hotline will start on Tuesday, March 31, and is tentatively scheduled for six weeks.

*Update: The Corona crisis line has since been discontinued. Students and family members of the University of Kassel can contact the Psychological Counseling Service (PBS) of the Studierendenwerk. In free counseling sessions, those seeking advice are supported in overcoming their psychological crises.
To make an appointment: e-mail: beratung[at]studierendenwerk.uni-kassel[dot]de; phone: 0561 804 2800
Without appointment: #offenesohr phone: 0160 3661 439. Monday, 1-4 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
More info on the Studierendenwerk Kassel page.

Press contact:

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Press Office
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de