1608 – Free, anonymous e-counseling service: means for people to overcome fear of the first appeal for help from mental health specialist, to encourage prevention.

Introduction: In Lithuania psychiatrist's service are easily accessible due to a wide network of Mental Health Centers; however, specialists recognize the existence of information gap, myths and attitudes that discourage well-timed appeal. Method, results: The project has guaranteed access for anybody to anonymous, free consultation on any problem from a psychologist, the possibility being introduced on the website of Republican Vilnius Psychiatric Hospital. The ways of communication are via e-mail or online/Skype (specialists are available at given hours). During two years approximately 1000 people has appealed concerning a variety of problems (from problems in interpersonal relations to complicated situations that urgently required interventions from mental health specialist). During our work we have discovered that about 25% required direct help from a psychiatrist, we were trying to keep emphatic contact and rapport with them, to give well-timed emotional support, to encourage and motivate to see a specialist eye-to-eye, to help to overcome fear of the first appeal, to dispel myths and attitudes towards psychiatrists, which are still present in our society. About 10% were appealing due to dangerous, troublesome behavior of their closest relatives, friends. They were also extensively informed about possibilities and ways of getting help. Conclusion: The Internet, simple to use, easy accessible for anonymous services that require low material resources, opens up new possibilities to inform/educate people, to help them overcoming fear of the first help appeal from a specialist, to encourage and motivate search for direct help, to provide with adequate, extensive and well-timed information. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]