Can “tele–counselling” solve psychological problems exacerbated by coronavirus pandemic?

Ambulances wait to pick up a suspected coronavirus patient, in Koboko district. The district is located near two borders of South Sudan and DR Congo. Picture by Rashul Adidi | 15 May 2020

Patients who recovered from coronavirus disease are facing stigma, creating deeper psychological problems to the victims. Furthermore, COVID–19 lockdown restriction measures put in place about two months ago exacerbated domestic violence as well as other mental health issues, according to Uganda Police. Psychologists do not want to take the effects of coronavirus lightly – they want to reduce the impact. In Uganda’s West Nile, where majority refugees especially from South Sudan are hosted, a–24/7–hour counselling service via toll-free telephone numbers has started. Lemetia Henry has the report.