Shezlong, the Middle East’s first online mental health clinic, has announced a 31% growth in the number of online sessions since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
The rise comes in conjunction with its campaign offering free pyschotherapy support sessions for people suffering from the negative effects of the current situation.
Shezlong Managing Director Mohamed Alaa said the initiative allocating free sessions has received remarkable popularity, whether citizens or doctors specialising in mental health. The awareness campaign has now reached a staggering 1.5m views.
He added that thousands of free sessions were granted with the participation of a large number of mental health doctors, and has seen a 27% increase in the number of doctors participating. The number of sessions has also seen a 31% increase on its normal rate.
At a time when private sector companies are trying to reduce their workforce due to the pandemic, Shezlong has increased its technical staff. As the site has seen such an increase in vjsitor numbers, the increased technical support is to facilitate procedures for customers wishing to obtain sessions through the platform.
Alaa announced that the company will donate 10% of the platform’s profits to quarantine hospitals in cooperation with a civil society organisation. The donation is to support Egypt’s medical sector as it stands on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis, and will help provide doctors with the tools and devices necessary for their work.
Consultant psychiatrist Mohamed Al-Shami, who uses Shezlong, said that Ramadan rituals can help improve the psychological state of individuals, especially if they are linked to positive memories.
He pointed out that some may experience nervousness during fasting, especially if a person smokes, due to the lack of nicotine that the body is accustomed to every day.
