Red Crescent launches ‘psychosocial support cell’ on COVID-19

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) in association with Denise Red Cross has launched a 'psychosocial support cell' to support the mental health of the people, who become anxious over the spread of the global pandemic COVID-19 in the country.

BDRCS Vice Chairman and Governing Board Member of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Professor Dr Md Habibe Millat on Sunday formally inaugurated the psychosocial support cell by cutting red ribbon at the national headquarters of the society here in the afternoon, said a BDRCS press release.

BDRCS Treasurer Lutfur Rahman Chowdhury Helal, Secretary General Md Feroz Salah Uddin and representatives of the Denise Red Cross spoke in the
inaugural function, among others, the release added.

Later, the representatives of the Denise Red Cross handed over a cheque for Taka 32 lakh as donation to the authority of Holy Family Red Crescent Medical
College Hospital for setting up a 25-bed isolation unit for the COVID-19 patients.

According to the health division of the society, the 'psycho-social support cell' will continue its service for the next 90 days while the service seekers could receive mental health service from the cell by making calls to the following mobile numbers 01811-458541 and 01811-458542. Specialist physicians will provide mental health service over phone for five days in a week from Sunday to Thursday between 9am and 5pm every day.

Besides, the people also can give opinions, suggestions and lodge complaints about the ongoing activities of the BDRCS by making calls to the hotline number 01811-458524 or mailing to feedback@bdrcs.org from 9am to 5pm everyday in a week.

As part of the anti COVID-19 campaign, the BDRCS is continuing its regular activities, including spraying disinfectants, distributing leaflets and encouraging people to maintain social distancing, across the country to prevent the spread of the global pandemic.