Public telemental health during COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary approaches on mental-health help-line program (MHLP)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the remote mental health care program developed at DGSAM, in Buenos Aires City during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on the concepts of telemental health. The change carried out from a previous phone orientation program towards a healthcare system with comprehensive health electronic records (HIS) and carried-out by mental health professionals, intersectorial articulation and progressive mental health care networks are the most outstanding aspects of the program. As well as the strengthening on health information systems and training professionals in telemental health care. During the first six months of operation, 7.154 calls were attended, 95,62% were solved within the program protocols and the remaining 4,38% were referred for georeferenced treatments and for re-linking with the respective health care teams. It was also useful in solving psychiatric emergency situations.

The program is innovative and pioneering in our country and turns out to be effective for a community health care model based on the concepts of universality, gratuity, and accessibility. Furthermore, it is the first paper in Argentina on epidemiologic aspects about the mental health system during COVID-19 pandemic.