For all of us, it is obvious to feel lonely or depressed during the lockdown, because suddenly in a busy life, we are forced to stay inside four walls. Hence, no matter how lonely or worried you are, eventually, it is for our safety. Those who are unable to deal with their depression and feeling low, they can dial a helpline number, COVID Saathi.
This is started by Additional Commissioner of Income Tax Mala Paropkari, CEO of car rental marketplace Zyppys, Rajani Kasu and Revanth Yalamanchili, who has ample prior experience in disaster management was launched and aims to help people with the unprecedented situation on hand.
“They are in need of someone who can offer emotional support and be a friend, especially those who are in isolation or quarantine. They need an empathetic and understanding listener,” says Revanth.
The helpline may not be a licensed healthcare or treatment provider, but it will provide emotional support, willing ears, and an understanding heart.
“When I worked in Nepal for relief work after the earthquake, I realised that what is scarier for people are the aftershocks. Mentally, it’s very disturbing. So I ended up staying for a month to help with relief and rehabilitation,” says Revanth, who works at a biotech firm currently.
That’s was the time when he joined forces with Mala Paropkari and Rajani Kasu to launch the helpline number about 16 days ago. The purpose is to instill confidence in those who are on the phone and reduce their fears.
After every call, the caller gets an SMS with details like government’s official WhatsApp number for COVID-19, Telangana’s helpline number, Telangana’s control room number, links to helpful apps and more.
At present, they want to do something worthwhile for frontline workers.
