Krakow offers free psychological consultations over the phone

For those who need professional help in the context of social distancing

Citizens from all over Europe have been urged to stay home and limit their physical interactions as much as possible, as a means to limit the spread of coronavirus. However, the exceptional pandemic situation does not automatically cancel peoples' need of healthcare and professional help to fight other health-related problems.

This is what Krakow tries to amend by establishing a free telephone line for psychological counselling. The Polish city, together with Krakow Institute of Psychotherapy run by the "Siemacha" Association, have launched this solution to assist those residents who need psychological support and want to contact a psychotherapist but cannot access it due to the present Covid-19-related circumstances.

Accessing psychological help

Therapists at the Institute are on duty from Monday to Friday between 10.00-18.00. You may contact them on the following numbers (please note that there is no guarantee they speak English):

• Krakow Institute of Psychotherapy, 6 Podbrzezie str - phone: 783 222 700
• Krakow Institute of Psychotherapy, 2 Krakowiaków - tel. 603 890 858
• Krakow Institute of Psychotherapy, 6 Ptaszyckiego str - tel. 661 011 023.

The local authority underlines that the aid is free of charge and available to anyone in need, even to those who are not placed under quarantine.

Coronavirus in Poland

Meanwhile, Poland has suspended classes in schools, kindergartens and nurseries. On Sunday, the country closed its borders to foreigners for 10 days and imposed a 14-day quarantine for all Polish residents returning from abroad. On Friday the operation of shopping centres, malls, sports centres, museums, galleries, etc. was limited and a ban on gatherings exceeding 50 persons was imposed.

So far, the country has 205 registered cases of Covid-19 with 5 dead.