Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the COVID 19-induced psychological problems and help seeking demands in Turkey. In addition, it was intended to determine the knowledge, attitude and skills of mental health professionals in dealing with those problems. Research group consisted of 168 mental health professionals working in different regions of Turkey. Results revealed that 57.1% of the professionals were consulted for help due to mental health problems during the pandemic, and this demand came mostly from females and adults. Help-seeking demands were primarily about excessive anxiety, stress caused by educational and professional problems, repetitive ideas of getting virus, loss of pleasure and interest, insomnia and excessive cleaning complaints. Findings suggested that most mental health professionals participating in the study had positive attitudes towards online counseling and found these practices effective. In addition, 30.4% of the participants found themselves insufficient for online psychological help, while only 27.4% stated that they provided online psychological help in this process. The results demonstrated that mental health professionals were asked for help about on complaints of different types and levels during the pandemic. It was observed that the attitudes of the professionals about online counseling mental help were generally positive and their self-perceptions of knowledge and skill levels were rather low.