Hyderabad, Apr 11 (IANS): With the coronavirus crisis pervading all aspects of life, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) is working with health psychologists to provide emotional support for people affected by the virus.

Faculty members at the Centre for Health Psychology, UoH, are involved in preparing material and training modules for the services to be offered through tele-counselling.

The tele-counselling support initiative is a collaborative effort of The Association of Health Psychologists (AHP) and five other organizations, working under the banner of SERV (Support for Emotional Rehabilitation of the Virus Victims) which extends telecounseling services to the needy across the country.

The UoH faculty from the Centre for Health Psychology are also among the founding members of the AHP.

The AHP is working on the project along with Action Aid, Dr. Reddy Foundation-School Improvement Programme, APTS Social Service Forum. Its aim is to provide emotional support for rehabilitation of coronavirus victims through tele-counselling.

Counsellors with the highest academic (psychology) background and years of experience in counselling have volunteered to provide 24X7 hours support for the coronavirus victims.

People in need of counselling services can approach the helpline number 9985010680.

The material and training modules have been developed by the AHP as a team along with a few faculty members from the Centre for Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad (UoH) who are also the founding members of AHP.

The Association of Health Psychologists was formed in the year 2015 with the involvement of senior Psychologists in India where the membership was open to people working in the area of Health Psychology and other allied disciplines.

The objectives of the Association included promotion of research and training in Health Psychology with a special focus on indigenous approach.