I.Metshin: “It is necessary to provide more opportunities for psychological assistance to the residents in this time of the pandemic”

In 2021, 38 thousand Kazan residents have taken advantage of the “Doverie” Center for psychological and pedagogical assistance to children and youth. Psychologists of the center provide round-the-clock assistance to citizens by phone or online, as well as during face-to-face consultations. Due to the pandemic, the number of people seeking help has increased. The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin got acquainted with the work of the Doverie Center during his visit to one of the offices in the Vakhitovsky district.

“It's a difficult time, it's been a stressful year because of the pandemic. It is not easy to cope with all the challenges, especially for children and young people. Therefore, it is very important to develop a psychological assistance service. We must ensure that there are more opportunities to provide psychological assistance to the residents of Kazan”, - I.Metshin said.

The Doverie Center for psychological and pedagogical assistance to children and youth was established in 1995. Today, the center has 10 branches located in each district of the city. Today it is the only helpline in the city in Kazan, which receives calls from residents from 14 to 35 years.

“This year, we have received more than 10 thousand calls from citizens, and in general, we usually conduct about 15 thousand phone consultations per year,- said Elena Ovchinnikova, director of the Doverie center. – Besides, we conducted more than 3.5 thousand face-to-face consultations”.

During the pandemic, the center launched online consultations via messengers and video calls – thus psychologists have already conducted more than 250 individual consultations.

The center provides round-the-clock services, 59 specialists work here in shifts - psychologists, social educators, specialists in youth work. I. Metshin examined the offices of psychologists who receive calls. In addition to the main helpline for adults, a children's helpline operates in the center.

During the pandemic, the number of calls from Tatarstan residents who need psychological assistance increased by 50%, the Minister of Youth Affairs of Tatarstan Timur Suleymanov told the Mayor.

Specialists of the center also note changes in the matter of requests for help. “There is high tension in society. During the pandemic, the number of family conflicts and crisis increased. There are even cases of domestic violence”, - said E.Ovchinnikova.

The Mayor also inspected the office of the supervisor, a specialist who trains other consultants.

The head of the city asked the staff of the center what could make their work more efficient.

According to the employees of the center, the work shifts last up for 12 hours, so they need comfortable working conditions, as well as the equipment necessary to receive calls.

The staff of the center also asked for a car to provide on-site assistance. The head of the city promised to help with the solution of this issue.

In addition, for the development of the center, it is necessary to open a new branch in the Sovetsky district of the city, E.Ovchinnikova said. The existing facility needs renovation. “We will try to help you”, - I.Metshin promised.