Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem (Oct 2021)

Online mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Ariane da Cruz Guedes,
  • Luciane Prado Kantorski,
  • Janaína Quinzen Willrich,
  • Valéria Cristina Christello Coimbra,
  • Carla Gabriela Wünsch,
  • Lilian Cruz Souto de Oliveira Sperb,
  • César Brasil Sperb

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2021-0554
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 75, no. suppl 1

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Objective: Identify users, services, and reasons for seeking online mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study, with documentary analysis of medical records of users served between April and July 2020. Results: Of the 258 accesses, 159 were complete, and 99 were offline messages. Although there were 61 (38.36%) consultations in May, in April, there were 49 (30.82%) in 18 days of reception. More than 89% of accesses were women between 40 and 59 years. Among the motivations in the search for care, anxiety, fear, depression, sadness, crying, stress, and suicidal ideation stand out. Final considerations: Chat is a quick, early and short-wait intervention opportunity for people in need of mental health care. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of investing in the training of nursing professionals to act in mental health.

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