By Jessy Joseph

New Delhi, April 12, 2020: A group of Jesuits has begun a telecounseling for those distressed during the lockdown.

“For most people living indoors for such an extended period of time is a new experience. It could often lead to certain disorientation, frustration or a feeling of helplessness,” Jesuit father Anderson Fernandes, one of the counselors, told Matters India on March 11 over phone.

The service began on April 5 and will continue until the end of the month.

Father Fernandes, head of the Panaji—based Xavier Centre of Historical Research, says he attends at least six phone calls daily from various parts of India.

The team comprising 14 priests of the Goa province is available to give direction and comfort. The guidance is available from Monday to Saturday in languages such as English, Kannada, Konkani, Marathi and Tamil.

“All the priests in the panel have basic training in counseling and volunteered to give our time during this time of crisis,” Father Fernandes explained.

“We felt that there is a great need to provide counseling during the Covid19 crisis and that not too many were offering this kind of a service,” he added.

Father Augustine Pushparaj, a trained counselor, says the “sudden lockdown has confined people to their homes and many of them are reeling under different kinds of uncertainty. We listen to them with patience and try to address their problems,” he added.

The Goa Jesuit province has issued a leaflet with names, phone numbers of the priests and the time slot and the language for giving guidance to the callers.

Fathers Merwin D’Souza and Felix D’Silva are the coordinators of the service and can be contacted 9871588406/9764768239, Father Fernandes said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 announced a 21-day lockdown from that midnight to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

At the end of April 12, India recorded 16,999 confirmed cases and 331 deaths. Goa has only 9 confirmed cases and no deaths.

A similar project was earlier launched by the Catholic Health Association of India, based in Secunderabad, Telangana.