The Psychological Support Hotline, set up remotely by the Association of Mental Health Professionals following the floods that hit the city of Ksar El Kebir, has begun receiving its first calls from individuals psychologically affected by the disaster. The initiative aims to mitigate the psychological repercussions of the exceptional circumstances currently affecting the region.
Early Intervention: A Key Strategy to Mitigate Psychological Shock
According to Chaimaa Lahmidi, a psychologist and member of both the association and the Psychological Support Hotline, the initiative was launched out of a professional and ethical sense of urgency to act during this critical phase. Speaking to Yabiladi, she stressed that scientific research has demonstrated the effectiveness of early intervention, which involves a series of actions taken at the onset of emerging health, psychological, or social problems to prevent their escalation or limit their most severe consequences.
She explained that in such exceptional situations, assistance often focuses on basic needs such as food, water, and shelter. Mental health support, however, is sometimes overlooked, despite being a key component in protecting affected individuals. Early psychological support, she emphasized, plays a direct role in reducing the intensity of psychological shock.
Lahmidi confirmed that the Psychological Support Hotline has already started receiving calls from those affected. She noted that coordination is underway with local authorities, who inform residents about the service, enabling them to seek support. Information about the hotline is also being shared on social media.
Regarding its composition, Lahmidi said that all 44 members of the Psychological Support Hotline have received specialized training in dealing with natural disasters, within the framework of emergency and crisis psychology, commonly referred to as psychological first aid. The team includes both psychologists and psychiatrists.
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She explained that cases are initially handled by psychologists, and when medical intervention is deemed necessary, psychiatrists take over and may prescribe medication if required.
«Most of the cases we have listened to involve panic attacks and anxiety, resulting from the shock caused by the floods», Lahmidi said.
She further clarified that while the Psychological Support Hotline was primarily created for residents of Ksar El Kebir, it is also open to individuals who were not directly affected by the floods but experienced psychological distress after following the news or watching videos shared to social media. Some of these individuals, she said, have suffered panic or anxiety attacks despite not being physically present in the affected areas.
«All Moroccans lived through the impact of these floods», she said, adding that the main objective of the initiative is to alleviate the psychological burden on those affected.
She also noted that in some cases, authorities provide the support service with contact details of individuals showing signs of psychological distress, allowing team members to reach out proactively. Lahmidi highlighted the association’s extensive experience in providing remote psychological support, stressing that its specialists are well equipped to manage cases both remotely and in person.
Recalling previous initiatives, Lahmidi pointed to a similar Psychological Support Hotline established during the Al Haouz earthquake. She explained that the usual approach begins with remote support before, once weather conditions stabilize, organizing an on-site field caravan to provide direct psychological assistance. Preparations for such a caravan, she confirmed, are currently underway.
In conclusion, she emphasized that professional ethics require strict confidentiality and the protection of personal data. All practitioners involved, she said, sign an ethical charter within the association to ensure the safeguarding of individuals’ information.
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