Life & Health

Mental health: where to look for information, psychological and emotional help

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You can look for safe social activities, depending on how things are going with the pandemic at the moment, that promote your mental health. The photo, taken in 2019, shows seniors attending the Clinica de la Marcha, a Cañas Health Area program that they shared in with others as well. Photo: Cesar Arroyo Castro
Esta publicación también está disponible en: Español
Translator: Arianna Hernández

Finding affordable places for psychological and emotional care in Guanacaste can be hard to do due to economic barriers or availability in public medical centers.

And it’s worrying, especially because of the increase in economic, social and emotional instability in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At The Voice, we put together a list of some free or low-cost support services and helplines that you can turn to in the province.

Support Directory

  1. Emergency helpline

Emergency situations

911

  1. “Aquí estoy” (Here I am) helpline, MEP

Students and family members

2459-1598

2459-1599

  1. Psychological Support Dispatch 

Situations related to COVID-19

1322

  1. INAMU Helpline

Women who are victims of violence, Chorotega region

2527-8573

  1. 1147 Helpline , PANI

Boys, girls and teenagers

7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

1147

  1. Teenage Mother Helpline, PANI

Teenage mothers

7 a. m. – 10 p. m.

800-2262626

  1. Creciendo Juntos (Growing Together) Clinics

Children under 16 years of age from the canton of Carrillo

In person, free

2667-0175 – clinic in Comunidad

2200-6789 – clinic in Corralillo

  1. Psychology for adults, CEPIA

Adults

In person, free

8922-0503 (WhatsApp or text message)

  1. Te Escucho (I Hear You) Helpline, Ser y Crecer Foundation

Victims of sexual abuse

2234-9393

  1. Clinic Without Borders

General public

In person, ¢15,600 per appointment

2227-2221

Tip +: You can also request support at your designated EBAIS clinic, at the school you attend or through an organization in your community. Please, whenever you need it, seek help.

Tips for Mental Wellness

The World Health Organization put together a series of tips to look after mental health:

  • Keep informed. Listen to advice and recommendations from your national and local authorities.
  • Have a routine.
    1. Get up and go to bed at similar times every day.
    2. Keep up with personal hygiene.
    3. Eat healthy meals at regular times.
    4. Exercise regularly.
    5. Allocate time for working and time for resting.
    6. Make time for doing things you enjoy.
  • Minimize newsfeeds. Try to reduce how much you watch, read or listen to news that makes you feel anxious or distressed. Seek the latest news at specific times of the day, once or twice a day if needed.
  • Social contact is important. If your movements are restricted, keep in regular contact by phone or Internet.
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs. Avoid using alcohol and drugs as a way of dealing with fear, anxiety, boredom and social isolation.
  • Control screen time. Be aware of how much time you spend in front of a screen every day.
  • Don’t overindulge in video games. While video games can be a way to relax,  it can be tempting to spend much more time on them than usual when you are at home for long periods.
  • Use social networks properly. Use them to promote positive and hopeful messages. Correct misinformation wherever you see it.
  • Help others. If you are able to, offer support to people in your community who may need it, such as helping them with shopping for food.
  • Support health workers. Take opportunities on social media or through your community to thank healthcare workers and all those working to respond to COVID-19.

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