Sverdlovsk's 24/7 mental health hotline answers 4,800 calls in early 2026
A mental health hotline in the Sverdlovsk region has handled over 4,800 calls in the first four months of 2026. The service, run by the Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, offers free, 24/7 support from 22 qualified psychologists. Their work includes crisis intervention, ongoing care, and even innovative outreach tools like a board game designed to reduce stigma around therapy. Between January and April 2026, the hotline took 3,800 calls from adults and 1,000 from children. Young callers, aged 12 to 18, often discussed strained family relationships and typical growing-up struggles. Meanwhile, 143 individuals expressed suicidal thoughts or intentions, requiring urgent intervention.
The service also provided long-term support to 598 regular callers needing continuous assistance. Another 82 calls came from participants in the special military operation and their families, who sought help for anxiety, sleep problems, and relationship stress. To break down barriers to seeking help, psychologists actively promote the hotline through awareness campaigns. One such effort involved a board game created by Maksim Cheremnykh, a psychologist on the team. The game, aimed at teens, tackles fears about contacting a psychologist and dispels common myths. Cheremnykh’s work earned him second place at the 2026 All-Russia Professional Excellence Competition.
The hotline’s round-the-clock availability ensures immediate support for those in crisis. With thousands of calls handled and ongoing outreach efforts, the service continues to play a vital role in the region’s mental health care. The inclusion of tools like the board game further strengthens its mission to make psychological help more accessible.
