1/16/23, 11:40 AM ATA2023 Annual Conference & Expo

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Collective Minds: emotional support and

counselling program using information and
communications technologies
Title:
Collective Minds: emotional support and counselling program using information and communications
technologies

Description:
Collective Minds is a university-based program that aims to provide free and available active listening,
emotional support, and counseling services, to people over 18 years of age in Colombia. Mediated by diverse
information and communications technologies such as: traditional phone and SMS, to Internet mediated chat
and videocalls.

Abstract:
The counselling and support program of the Collective Minds Ecosystem [Mentes Colectivas] was
implemented as a response to reduce negative effects of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic and its socioeconomic
impacts on individuals’ mental health. Furthermore, aimed to provide an alternative to mitigate the stress on
the health system; particularly the high demand for mental health care, and to increase capacity to respond to
the urgent and most prevalent mental health problems of the Colombian population. The objective of this study
was to characterize the users and to identify the psychological distress level among them. 
Data was obtained from the database of users who accessed the program through 9/2020 to 7/2022.
Descriptive statistics were employed to report the users’ sociodemographic information. The level of
psychological distress was measured using the Kessler 6 (K6) scale in Spanish as a self-rated measure
implemented in the log-in process. Once registered, the user schedules an appointment (either immediately or
in the next 72h). Then, the system automatically allocates the level of distress with the of expertise (students,
psychologists, general practitioners, psychiatrists). Sessions can be performed by chat, phone-call, or video-
call; and up to 5 follow-up sessions were offered according to the users’ preferences.

Method:
Descriptive

Method - Other (if different from options above):

Classification of Research:

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Access to Care

Classification of Research - Other (if different from options above):

Results:
To date, 4248 users have been counseled, most of them are female (77%, n=3,278/4,248), with an average age
of 36.1 years. The program has extended to most of the Colombian territory, reaching 28/32 departments; as
expected, the 4 remained are in the Amazon region, which is the area with the lowest internet connectivity.
Most of the counseled (69%) had some type of psychological distress: 58% were classified as having mild
psychological discomfort, 37.4% moderate and 4.7% severe. In order to increase capacity, more than 210
students and health professionals have been trained as counselors in emotional support.

Conclusions:
By making use of diverse technologies, the Collective Minds program has managed to reach different parts of
Colombia, providing free counselling and support to individuals in need. It has also assisted to mitigate the
COVID-19 negative effects on mental health by breaking down economic, geographic, and specialized human
capital barriers providing psychological first aid, first line care and opportune risk identification.

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Indicate number of authors:

6

Additional Information:

Question 1:
Oral Presentation

Question 2:
Yes

Contact:
Laura Ospina-Pinillos

Schedule:

Track(s):
Research

SPEAKERS
Laura Ospina-Pinillos

HANDOUTS

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