Psychological and Emotional Responses during Different Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on a Survey of a Mental Health Hotline

Background:The coronavirus(COVID-19)outbreak in 2019 triggered psychological and emotional responses.This research investigates the psychological status and emotional problems of those who sought psychological assistance during the epidemic period by calling a mental health hotline.Methods:This study aims to combine qualitative and quantitative research.Descriptive analysis was used for undertaking qualitative research.We ana-lyzed the data from group 1(n=706),in which the people used the mental health hotline from 25 January 2020 to 23 June 2020.A self-designed questionnaire was developed in accordance with the classification and sum-marized items from group 1’s psychological problems and emotional status.To implement the quantitative research,we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive survey and used the self-compiled scale and HADS to inves-tigate group 2(n=553)from May 2020 to June 2020.Results:Descriptive statistics and comparative analysis revealed that:①Visitors mainly reported behavior,emotional,family relationship problems and sleep disorders.②Anxiety,comorbidities,sleep disorders and coping problems were the most frequently reported problems.③There were significant differences in the number of visitors experiencing various problems or exhibiting harmful behaviors(sorrow,worry,fear,depression,sleep disorders,self-harm or suicide,and coping problems,anxiety,hypochondria,and comorbidity)in the four stages of the epidemic.④More than a quarter of participants still suffered from anxiety or depression in the later stages of the epidemic.Conclusion:Different problems manifested at different stages of the epidemic,and psychological interventions and assistance should be tailored to reflect this.