Virtualization of psychological emergency care in mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective The health and humanitarian emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures of physical distancing and social isolation adopted required new modes of care in mental health. This article aims to define the possibilities and challenges of virtualizing emergency care, specifically psychologist on duty service and psychological first aid. Method An integrative literature review was carried out from 2016 to 2021 in databases. Results A total of thirteen articles were selected, which culminated in the themes: emergency care practices in times of crisis; and implementation of virtualization with its potential and limits. Conclusion One can conclude that virtual care is a way to democratize access to mental health services, but this process has limitations. However, further studies are needed to increase the reach of virtual care in emergency mental health care, in order to allow maximization of the potential of this modality.