Psychological consequences of the pandemic continue to be an issue
Innsbruck, April 12th, 2022 (KAP) The psychological consequences and concerns of many people in the wake of the corona pandemic are still an issue for telephone counseling. The telephone pastoral care of the diocese of Innsbruck draws attention to this in its annual report for the year 2021 published on Tuesday. “Increasing social isolation, aggravation of family conflicts, deepening mental disorders, crises and depressions, crises and life upheavals – these were the issues that kept us busy,” emphasized Astrid Höpperger, head of Innsbruck’s telephone counseling service, in a broadcast.
Even in the second Corona year 2021, the offers of telephone counseling turned out to be particularly important and in demand. 5,062 chat consultations and 2,876 mail consultations were carried out during this period. On the phone, 14,795 calls from all over Tyrol were accepted. “In particular, the online counseling that we offer in cooperation with the other Austrian telephone counseling centers has quickly doubled,” explained Höpperger.
Telephone counseling also at Easter
Even if it is largely possible to celebrate this year’s Easter services in the churches again and there are almost no other restrictions, some people do not feel like celebrating, made the telephone counseling attentive. However, a conversation with understanding interlocutors can help get over the loneliness of the holidays. The telephone counseling service can also be reached around the clock at Easter free of charge and anonymously under the emergency number 142. Chat and email advice can also be used. (www.telefonseelsorge.at)