Befrienders moves emotional support hotline to Skype

CORONAVIRUS | Befrienders KL has moved its emotional support hotline to Skype in a bid to reduce staffing at its call centre.

The NGO said it had received approval from the Petaling Jaya police to continue operations at its call centre in Petaling Jaya.

“However, due to the high concentration of Covid-19 cases in the district - there are 223 cases as of 12pm, March 29, 2020 - we were advised to consider alternatives to reduce or eliminate movement of our volunteers.

“This intention is to break the chain of transmission to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

“Concerning this, we have decided to use Skype, a telecommunications app, to allow our trained volunteers to continue providing emotional support online from their homes,” Befrienders KL executive director Kenny Lim said in a statement today.

He said since the movement control order came into effect on March 18, the group had seen a 13 percent increase in the number of calls to its hotline, which provides support for those who are distressed, feeling depressed, or suicidal.

Of these, nine percent of the calls were due to issues related to the order, or Covid-19.

It urged those who need help to browse its website for instructions on how to use Skype to contact its volunteers.

“All calls made using this service will continue to adhere to our existing confidentiality and privacy policy,” it added.

Previously, the Health Ministry and Mercy Malaysia had set up a psychosocial support hotline for frontline workers and others who are emotionally affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

The hotline can be reached 8am until 5pm at 011-63996482, 011-63994236, or 03-9359935.

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