Background information

The organization for providing psychological support was established together with the regional departments of education, the regional centers for support of the process of inclusive education and school principals.

The telephone line is planned to be open until 31 March 2022. The hotline is not a single number but several ones which are maintained by specialist out of six districts: Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, Sofia (capital city), Stara Zagora.

Content of measure

More than 40 school psychologists are volunteering to help students, parents, teachers and non-pedagogy staff stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Support is provided via toll-free telephone lines in six regional centers in the country. The aim is to respond to existing worries and demotivation when learning online. Specialists will provide help to everybody who is reporting depression due to long isolation. The hotline will also support people's struggles to adapt to school environment after a long home stay and being in distance learning education process. Specialists can also provide psychological support to overcome the fear of the virus or the loss of loved ones.

Use of measure

The Ministry of Education and Science is opening for a third time the toll-free hotlines for children in need and those working in the education system. In addition to the volunteering school psychologists, specialists from the National Mobile Group for Psychological Support at the Ministry of Education and Science will be also responding to the calls.

The lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. They are open to all students, parents, pedagogical and non-pedagogical professionals from all over the country. It is recommended to call the hotline number allocated in the nearest settlement. Thus, at the discretion of psychologists, they can refer people in need to community support services.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Children (minors) Parents

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	Other

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No social partners' involvement is encountered at the time of releasing the hotline.

Views and reactions

No social partners' views are encountered at the time of releasing the hotline.

Sectors and occupations

Sources

• 14 December 2021: Ученици и учители получават психологическа подкрепа по телефона в условията на пандемия (coronavirus.bg)