Tele-support and Mental Health During the Pandemic: An Experience Report by a Public Health Psychologist

Abstract

This article aims to present the experience of psychological tele-support within the scope of collective health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This intervention took place between 2020 and 2022 within remote support programs linked to the public health network of Pernambuco. Amidst this health crisis, psychology provided rapid, effective responses based on interventions grounded in both theoretical and ethical-technical frameworks. The psychological distress during the pandemic encompasses symptoms of anxiety, somatization, fear, sadness and loneliness, as well as emotional aftereffects and harm resulting from this experience. The work is underpinned by the fields of Health Psychology and the area of ​​Collective Health.  The methodology adopted was an experience report—a form of knowledge production involving the description and analysis of the intervention in light of the chosen theoretical framework. A total of 513 remote support sessions were conducted through the Pernambuco state health network programs. The target audience for this intervention, included healthcare workers and their families, as well as the general population. The psychological intervention strategies were based on psychological first aid. It was also used psychoeducation, which led to significant emotional improvement for users and fostered mental health prevention and promotion. Finally, the article highlights the role of remote support in strengthening the SUS and driving its continuous improvement, thereby expanding mental health care and benefiting more people.