Open AccessMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DURING THE PANDEMIC: THE EXPERIENCES OF LITHUANIAN PSYCHOLOGISTS
Author(s) -
Rita Vaičekauskaitė,
Jurgita Babarskienė,
Jūratė Grubliauskienė
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
sabiedrība, integrācija, izglītība/sabiedrība. integrācija. izglītība/society. integration. education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2256-0629
pISSN - 1691-5887
DOI - 10.17770/sie2021vol7.6333
Subject(s) - lithuanian , mental health , pandemic , confidentiality , work (physics) , psychology , public relations , service (business) , mental health literacy , nursing , covid-19 , political science , medicine , business , psychiatry , mental illness , engineering , mechanical engineering , philosophy , linguistics , disease , pathology , marketing , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
With the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, many countries face an unprecedented mental health crisis, which is being addressed in various ways, including the use of remote mental health services. Lithuania faced two quarantines: in March-June of 2020 and starting November 2020 up to Spring of 2021. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of Lithuanian psychologists providing mental health services during the pandemic. Using the qualitative content analysis method, the following categories were made: from shock to discovery of new opportunities (differences in two lockdowns, better accessibility of services, help-seeking during the pandemic, and the importance of self-care) and contextual challenges (confidentiality, computer literacy, and blurred home/work boundaries). Implications for addressing psychological service issues are discussed, with an emphasis on self-care, setting boundaries, and finding new ways to enhance mental health via mediated communication as well as to reach out to vulnerable groups.