Aim of the study Increased rates and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms are observed in schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorders. The study aims to investigate depressive, anxiety and traumatic psychometric traits associated with discomfort from gastrointestinal symptoms in schizophrenia. Subject or material and methods 36 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) in stable phase of the disease and 35 healthy controls (CON) aged 18-40 years completed following autoquestionnaires: Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale(GSRS), Beck Depression Inventory-II(BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI), International Trauma Questionnaire(ITQ), Traumatic Event Checklist(TEC). Additionally, SCZ completed autoquestionnaires: Coping Inventory For Stressful Situations(CISS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. Results SCZ and CON did not differ in any GSRS subscale scores. SCZ and CON presented different correlation patterns between GSRS and other questionnaires. In SCZ, GSRS-Total correlated positively with STAI-trait (r=0.55;FDR-p<0.05), ITQ-Negative Self-Concept (r=0.61;FDR-p<0.05), BDI (r=0.48;p<0.01), ITQ-Reexperiencing-Trauma (r=0.47;p<0.01). In SCZ, GSRS-Indigestion correlated significantly with multiple ITQ parameters. In CON, GSRS subscales Abdominal, Diarrhea and Reflux correlated positively with STAI-State and STAI-Total. In SCZ, CISS Task-Oriented Style correlated negatively with GSRS-Abdominal (r=-0.51;p<0.01), and Emotion-Oriented Style showed positive correlation trends with gastrointestinal discomfort. Discussion This study may potentially enhance the screening of individuals with schizophrenia who experience gastrointestinal discomfort. Conclusions are constrained by the cross-sectional design, limited sample size, and potential influence of pharmacotherapy. Conclusions Patients with schizophrenia and healthy participants showed comparable discomfort from gastrointestinal symptoms. In schizophrenia, significant associations between gastrointestinal discomfort and depressive, anxiety, and traumatic symptoms are observed. Further research focusing on the gastrointestinal associations with psychometric factors in schizophrenia is warranted.
Aim of the study Type 1 diabetes requires continuous self-management and may be associated with anxiety, diabetes-related distress, and reduced quality of life. Although advanced diabetes technologies improve treatment safety and metabolic outcomes, their relationship with psychological functioning remains uncertain. This pilot study examined associations between anxiety and quality of life and compared adults treated with and without closed-loop technology. Subject or material and methods This cross-sectional pilot study included 50 adults with type 1 diabetes treated at a diabetology outpatient clinic. Twenty participants used a closed-loop system, whereas 30 were treated with multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion without closed-loop technology. Anxiety, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and diabetes-related emotional burden were assessed using the STAI, SWLS, WHO-5 Well-Being Index, PAID, and DDS-17. Groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test, and associations were examined using Spearman’s rho. Results Higher state and trait anxiety were associated with lower life satisfaction and psychological well-being and with greater diabetes-related emotional burden and diabetes distress. No statistically significant differences were observed between participants using and not using closed-loop technology in anxiety, quality of life, psychological well-being, or diabetes-related emotional burden. Discussion The findings indicate that anxiety and subjective diabetes burden are clinically relevant correlates of poorer psychological functioning. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously because of the pilot, cross-sectional design and limited sample size. Conclusions Assessment of anxiety and diabetes-related distress should remain an important component of comprehensive diabetes care, regardless of the technology used.
Aim of the study To evaluate health-promoting behaviors in patients with schizophrenia and to assess the significance of differences in the studied variables between women and men diagnosed with schizophrenia. Subject or material and methods The study included 70 patients receiving care at a mental health clinic, of whom 54.29% were women. The following psychometric tools were used: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), and an original demographic data questionnaire. The study received a positive opinion from the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Silesia. Results Statistically significant negative correlations were found between the overall health behavior score (HBS) and in subscores, such as positive mental attitude and the severity of depressive symptoms (HADS-D). Additionally, the positive mental attitude subscale correlated negatively with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. No significant differences were found between women and men in our study. Discussion Schizophrenia, which belongs to the group of psychotic disorders, significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. Difficulties in this illness cover many areas – from self-perception and acceptance of the disease to professional and social activity, including health-promoting behaviors, important for mental and physical hygiene. Conclusions Among patients with schizophrenia, a higher level of pro-health behaviors is associated with a lower severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. These results emphasize the importance of promoting a pro-health lifestyle in this group of patients. Further research is needed to allow for an in-depth analysis of the relationships obtained and to verify the conclusions.
Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis represents a paradigmatic form of autoimmune encephalitis characterized by a constellation of neuropsychiatric symptoms including psychosis, seizures, cognitive dysfunction, and movement disorders. This condition poses significant diagnostic challenges due to its multifaceted clinical presentation that often mimics primary psychiatric disorders. Objective: To examine the complex diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in a patient presenting with acute-onset psychosis and seizures secondary to anti-NMDAR encephalitis, emphasizing the critical importance of early recognition and multidisciplinary management. Case Summary: We present a 43-year-old postpartum female who developed severe neuropsychiatric symptoms including acute psychosis, seizures, and cognitive impairment. Initial psychiatric evaluation suggested a primary psychotic disorder; however, the presence of seizures, cognitive dysfunction, and a concurrent ovarian teratoma prompted reconsideration of the diagnosis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed the presence of anti-NMDAR antibodies. Treatment with first-line immunotherapy (corticosteroids), antiepileptic drugs (valproic acid), and antipsychotics (aripiprazole) resulted in partial symptomatic improvement with persistent residual deficits. Clinical Significance: This case underscores the importance of maintaining high clinical suspicion for autoimmune encephalitis in patients presenting with new-onset psychosis, particularly when accompanied by seizures, cognitive dysfunction, or evidence of systemic autoimmunity. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of immunotherapy are crucial for optimal neurological and psychiatric outcomes.
Introduction: Schizophrenia, which belongs to the group of psychotic disorders, significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. Difficulties in the course of the illness cover many areas of functioning-from self-perception and acceptance of the disease to professional and social activity, including health-promoting behaviors that are important for mental and physical hygiene. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess health-promoting behaviours in patients with schizophrenia and to analyse their relationship with the level of acceptance of the disease, life satisfaction, and the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The aim of the study was also to assess the significance of differences in the studied variables between women and men diagnosed with schizophrenia. Material and methods: The study included 70 patients receiving care at a mental health clinic, of whom 54.29% were women and 45.71% were men. The following psychometric tools were used: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI), and an original demographic data questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the U Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The study received a positive opinion from the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Silesia (PCN/0022/KBI/67/21). Results: Statistically significant negative correlations were found between the overall health behavior score (HBS) and subscores-health practices, preventive behaviors, positive mental attitude-and the severity of depressive symptoms (HADS-D). Additionally, the positive mental attitude subscale correlated negatively with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. No significant differences were found between women and men in terms of the variables studied. Conclusions: Among patients with schizophrenia, a higher level of pro-health behaviours is associated with a lower severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. These results emphasize the importance of promoting a pro-health lifestyle in this group of patients. Further research is needed to allow for an in-depth analysis of the relationships obtained and to verify the conclusions.
Aim of the study: Natural disasters negatively affect individuals living in affected regions, both psychologically and socially. This study aimed to examine post-traumatic stress and social support among survivors two years after a fire disaster. Methods: This descriptive, correlational study included 202 individuals who had been affected by a fire disaster two years earlier. Data were collected using an Information Form, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: Two years after the fire disaster, post-traumatic stress levels were higher in women, individuals who experienced the fire while at home, and those who lost their homes and livelihoods. Perceived social support differed significantly according to marital status, occupation, and income level. A significant relationship was found between post-traumatic stress and perceived social support. Discussion: This study contributes to the literature by addressing the limited evidence on the long-term psychosocial effects of disasters on survivors. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of mental health services in addressing the long-term mental health consequences of fire disasters.
Objectives: Recognizing the shift from categorical to dimensional approaches in personality research, this study examined the relationships among parental bonding, Five-Factor personality traits, age, and personality functioning as conceptualized in the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) in DSM-5. Methods: Structural equation modeling was conducted on data from 107 Czech university students. Results: Among the hypothesized predictors, stability-reflecting the need and ability to regulate emotional experience-and age significantly predicted personality functioning, particularly the identity and intimacy dimensions, which reflect sense of self and interpersonal relatedness, respectively. Plasticity and parental bonding did not significantly predict personality functioning. Discussion and conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of the stability domain, including neuroticism, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, as well as age, in shaping personality functioning.
The study aimed to investigate whether different dimensions of social support operate as parallel mediators in the relationship between existential meaning and subjective well-being among pregnant women. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a sample of 266 pregnant women. The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale, the Berlin Social Support Scales, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were used. Results: Existential meaning was positively associated with life satisfaction and positive affect, and negatively associated with negative affect. Perceived available support, support seeking, and received support were positively correlated with life satisfaction and positive affect. Three dimensions of social support-perceived available support, received support, and protective buffering support-served as parallel mediators between existential meaning and the cognitive and affective dimensions of subjective well-being. In contrast, no mediating effects were found for the need for support or support seeking. Discussion: The results showed that existential meaning was positively related to perceived available support and received support, and negatively related to protective buffering support. Conclusions: These findings have important practical implications for planning health care programmes for pregnant women. In particular, people in their immediate environment and medical professionals should adopt supportive attitudes that not only prevent difficulties, but also promote health and well-being.
Objective: To assess whether patients with NIH (National Institutes of Health) phenotypes of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) differ from those with non-NIH phenotypes in terms of trait anxiety, state anxiety, and self-esteem. Additionally, we investigated the variables influencing the sense of physical attractiveness in both study groups. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine patients with NIH phenotypes of PCOS and 27 patients with non-NIH phenotypes were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent gynecological and endocrinological diagnostic evaluation. For psychological assessment, we used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory. Results: Patients with NIH phenotypes presented higher trait-anxiety scores (p=0.021). The groups did not differ in global self-esteem. However, patients with NIH phenotypes had lower scores on the identity integration (p=0.010) and body appearance (p=0.033) scales. NIH patients also had lower scores on the lovability (p=0.053) and competence (p=0.050) scales; however, these findings approached statistical significance. In the NIH group, trait anxiety (beta=-0.428, p=0.001) and BMI (beta=-0.345, p=0.009) were statistically significant negative predictors of the sense of physical attractiveness, while in the non-NIH group only trait anxiety (beta=-0.670, p<0.001) was found to be a negative predictor of this aspect of self-esteem. Discussion: Patients with NIH phenotypes of PCOS presented higher trait-anxiety scores and lower scores in some aspects of self-esteem. These differences may stem, at least in part, from the more pronounced symptomatology among patients with NIH phenotypes. Conclusions: Differences in self-esteem and anxiety among patients with different PCOS phenotypes should guide the development of more personalized treatment programs.
Aim of the study: The study aimed to test the hypothesis that biological, temperamental traits differ between patients with sexual dysfunctions only and those with sexual dysfunctions comorbid with anxiety disorders, whereas characterological differences are less pronounced. Material and methods: The study included 103 patients (38 men and 65 women; aged 20-58 years; M = 30.42, SD = 7.06) undergoing group psychotherapy for anxiety disorders and 73 patients (30 men and 43 women; aged 20-57 years; M = 30.16, SD = 6.85) from an outpatient sexology clinic. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) was used for psychiatric diagnosis. All participants completed a questionnaire screening for symptoms of sexual dysfunctions and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Results: The group with sexual dysfunctions comorbid with anxiety disorders scored significantly lower on the novelty seeking and persistence scales and significantly higher on harm avoidance and reward dependence. Regarding character dimensions, the comorbid group scored significantly lower on self-directedness and significantly higher on cooperativeness. Discussion: Individuals with comorbid anxiety disorder(s) and sexual dysfunction(s) showed more maladaptive temperamental traits than those with sexual dysfunction(s) only and than the general population. This may hinder self-management and complicate therapy. In the group with sexual dysfunction(s) only, lower cooperativeness may play a role in symptom formation. Conclusions: The findings confirm the usefulness of Cloninger's inventory in describing clinical groups and suggest that, in some cases, sexual dysfunction may be part of broader psychopathology rather than a distinct disorder.
Background and objective: A number of studies have shown that patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) struggle with emotional regulation disorders (ER) throughout their lives. The aim of the study was to discuss the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and emotional regulation disorders, the difficulties they cause for patients, and to answer the question of whether emotion dysregulation should influence clinicians' treatment planning for patients with ASD. Methods: A review of the literature on the connotations between emotional dysregulation and ASD, comorbid disorders, and therapeutic work techniques was conducted. Electronic databases were used: PubMed, Medline Ultimate, Scopus. Google Scholar, EBSCO. Priority was given to publications and studies in English. Results and conclusion: It is confirmed that it is important to include emotion dysregulation in the treatment plan of a patient with ASD. Existing data confirm the relationship between emotion dysregulation and a number of mental disorders and social problems of these patients. However, existing sources and research confirm the effectiveness of some targeted therapies. It seems important to further develop research in this area to enable patients to improve ER and, consequently, improve their functioning in general.
Aim of the Study: This study aims to examine the correlation between creativity and schizophrenia through a comprehensive review of contemporary research, focusing on the unique aspects of creative expressions in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Subject or Material and Methods: The study encompasses a literature review conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The search strategy involved specific keywords related to creativity and schizophrenia, identifying two main categories: "Creativity and schizophrenia" and "Creative products of schizophrenia patients," with relevant subcategories. Literature that did not investigate these subcategories or had more up-to-date analogues was excluded. Results: The findings indicate that schizophrenia affects various cognitive processes crucial for creativity, such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, mental processes, and executive functions. Generally, schizophrenia results in diminished creative abilities compared to other mental disorders. However, the symptoms can have a dual impact on creative thinking, either enhancing or impeding it based on their severity and influence on cognitive processes. Art created by individuals with schizophrenia displays distinct features, including deviations in values, reduced complexity, and unique color choices. Conclusions: This literature review highlights the complex relationship between schizophrenia and creativity. While schizophrenia generally impairs creative abilities, its impact on creativity is multifaceted and merits further exploration to enhance treatment approaches for patients with mental disorders. The study suggests that creativity can play a significant role in the therapeutic process, improving overall well-being and providing deeper insights into the cognitive and emotional experiences of individuals with schizophrenia.
We are pleased to present the September issue of Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, which showcases the diversity of research and reflections on contemporary psychiatry and clinical psychology. The articles collected here share a strong focus on the practical dimensions of diagnosis, therapy, and prevention—both in the field of mental disorders and in the challenges faced by mental health care systems. The issue opens with an article by Marlena Banasik et al., dedicated to developing a model procedure for violence risk assessment in Polish conditions. The authors emphasize the need for systematization and wider implementation of structured professional judgment tools, which could enhance the reliability of forensic-psychiatric evaluations and improve public safety.
Objectives: A previous research paper showed that individual defense styles mediate the relationships between temperamental traits and professional burnout among psychotherapists. It was decided to check which defense mechanisms may be involved in these relationships and examine the relationships that exist between temperamental traits and professional burnout and defense mechanisms in a group of psychotherapists. Methods: Eighty-two individuals working in the psychotherapy profession participated in the study. Three psychological tools were used: (1) FCB-TI(R), (2) DSQ-40, (3) OLBI, as well as own questionnaire used to describe the study group. Results: The conducted analyses showed correlations between temperamental traits and defense mechanisms and between professional burnout and defense mechanisms of psychotherapists. Discussion and Conclusions: Psychotherapists who are characterized by a high level of perseverance and emotional reactivity use neurotic and immature defense mechanisms to a greater extent, and mature defense mechanisms to a lesser extent. In turn, psychotherapists who are characterized by a high level of briskness and endurance use neurotic and immature defense mechanisms to a lesser extent. It is possible that the more frequent use of somatization, displacement, schizoid fantasy, isolation, acting out, projection and undoing by psychotherapists may translate into a higher level of professional burnout. Instead, it seems beneficial to use suppression and pseudoaltruism, the use of which probably reduces the level of burnout in a group of psychotherapists. However, these results would require repetition in a larger research group to confirm the revealed relationships and further exploration. In subsequent research, it is worth checking the mediating effect of individual defense mechanisms in the relationships between temperamental traits and professional burnout among psychotherapists.
Compliance with pharmacological treatment is a vital element in the effective management of depression. Nonetheless, the impact of patients' gender and age on treatment adherence and prescription compliance remains underinvestigated. This study aims to examine the correlation between gender, age, and the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in patients diagnosed with depressive episodes (F32) or recurrent depressive disorder (F33) according to the ICD-10. Data from 526 patient visits were examined, concentrating on antidepressant prescriptions acquired via the MyDr EDM system (January 1, 2023 - August 15, 2024). The research evaluated prescription fulfillment by gender and age, using statistical techniques like the chi 2 test and Kruskal-Wallis test to determine significant disparities. Most patients complied with their recommended treatment, with 61.6% completely adhering to their prescriptions, 3.2% somewhat adhering, and 35.2% not adhering at all. No statistically significant differences were detected between males and females for prescription fulfillment (p=0.722). Age was a crucial determinant affecting adherence. It was revealed that older individuals had superior adherence, but younger patients were less inclined to comply with recommended medications. Understanding the age-related determinants affecting prescription adherence may inform the creation of more focused initiatives to enhance patient compliance, especially among younger demographics who may need heightened motivation as well as awareness of the significance of consistent treatment.
Aim of the study. The foster care system is currently dominated by kinship foster families, who provide long-term care until the child reaches independence. In the case of kinship care, there is always a biological family relationship, and the role of carers is taken on by grandparents or older siblings. An analysis of personality traits, dominant personal values and the sense of coherence of people aged 60+ providing kinship foster care for their grandchildren as wel as an examination of the relationship between the above-mentioned components and depression. Material and methods. The study was conducted in 2018-2019 in north-western Poland. It was addressed to 189 kinship foster carers aged 60+. Consent to participate was obtained from 78 carers, i.e. 41.27% of those eligible for the study. The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method. Psychosocial, functional and health problems were identified using standardized scales and self-constructed questionnaires. Results. The dominant personal values indicated by kinship foster carers were: "good health, physical and mental fitness" followed by "love, friendship". The values that the respondents did not assign any rank to were "wealth, fortune". The results demonstrated a high level of coherence in kinship foster carers. The levels of manageability and meaningfulness were dependent on the carers' housing conditions. The worse the housing conditions, the lower the level of coherence in these components. The carers' sense of comprehensibility was reduced by their emotional concerns. Conscientiousness, agreeableness and extroversion were the most common personality traits of kinship foster carers 60+ who were biological grandparents. There was no connection between personality traits and the choice of personal values, but a negative correlation between extroversion and depression was observed at the level of statistical significance. Respondents declaring good health assigned a higher importance to the "knowledge, wisdom" personal value than those declaring health problems. The study showed that 7.9% of respondents had a moderate level of depression, the remaining ones were within the normal range. Conclusions. The sense of coherence and personal values of foster carers aged 60+ are determined by their housing conditions and good health. Action taken in this area by social services might improve the quality and comfort of care provided by biological grandparents to their grandchildren in the form of foster care.
The aim of the study: To conduct a comprehensive analysis of current scientific data on the clinical picture, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies for BPD to create a holistic view of this pathology and improve approaches to its treatment. Material and methods: A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from 2019-2024, alongside DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria, to assess BPD clinical features, diagnostics, and treatments. Results: The key symptoms of BPD-emotional instability, identity disorders, impulsivity, and instability of interpersonal relationships-form a complex interconnected system that determines the unique clinical profile of each patient. The high level of comorbidity of BPD with other mental disorders, especially depressive and anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, has proven to be a key factor in determining the complexity of the clinical picture, prognosis, and treatment approaches. The analysis of modern diagnostic approaches has revealed a significant evolution from the categorical to the dimensional approach, which is most clearly reflected in the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases of the 11th revision (ICD-11). It has been established that structured diagnostic interviews demonstrate high reliability and validity, remaining the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of BPD in clinical trials. Evaluations of the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches have shown that specialized psychotherapies, such as dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and schema therapy (ST), are most effective in reducing BPD symptoms and improving psychosocial functioning. Conclusions: Pharmacological treatment of BPD has shown mixed results, emphasizing the need for an individualized approach to pharmacotherapy.
Aim of the study was to examine how a woman diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) man-ages moments when her self is threatened during an initial couple-therapy consultation, using an interaction-al, multimodal perspective. Material and methods: We examined a video-recorded initial session with a heterosexual couple, sampled from a larger corpus of couple-therapy consultations in a medical setting. Using multimodal conversation anal-ysis, three analysts repeatedly viewed and sequentially analyzed the interaction to identify "self-threatening sequences", where the patient's moral, epistemic, or relational self was challenged and then either repaired or further pursued by the participants. Results: The analysis shows that self-threat is jointly produced and managed by patient, partner and thera-pist. The patient alternates between starkly self-pathologizing and self-defending formulations, using laughter, hesitations and embodied conduct (gaze, posture, self-touch) to regulate exposure and arousal. The partner's categorizations and complaints variably escalate, renegotiate or close self-threatening trajectories, while the therapist's questions and formulations selectively take up or soften different self-descriptions. Discussion: Identity disturbance in BPD patients emerge here as context-dependent and interactionally ac-complished rather than a fixed intrapsychic deficit. Conclusions: The study illustrates how detailed analysis of couple-therapy interaction can illuminate how threats to self are produced, resisted and absorbed in real time in interaction dynamics with BPD patient, and suggests that therapists should attend not only to what is said about the self but also to who says it, in re-sponse to what, and with which embodied displays.
The aim of the article is to analyse the possibilities available to Polish specialists in the process of assessing the risk of violence and accompanying difficulties. In the study, three categories of problems related to the assessment of the violence risk are taken into account: systemic, personal and methodological. In accordance with the conclusions formulated based on the results of the authors' research, an analysis of the literature and on the recommendations of the creators of internationally recognised tools for assessing the risk of violence, a model procedure for diagnosing and monitoring risk was proposed, aimed at improving the accuracy and effectiveness of assessment in Polish conditions. The authors also formulate recommendations for improving activities at systemic, personal and methodological levels, facilitating the effective and efficient implementation of the model procedure in psychiatric and penitentiary areas.
The article presents a case study on the launch and operation of an online psychological help line administered by psychology students for other students and other young people. This initiative was created in response to the challenging pandemic situation in 2020 and was continued in the following years due to the demand for this type of assistance. The people reaching out for support expressed emotional difficulties, increased anxiety, feelings of isolation, loneliness or problems in interpersonal relationships. The online nature of the project allowed young people to obtain an easily accessible, flexible form of help in a modern tech environment. Students reported that the project provided them with substantial professional experience, development of practical skills, and satisfaction from offering peer support. The biggest challenges of the support line included the instability of contacts with those in need, the difficulty of setting a framework for support and the ethical aspects of the support offered. A limitation of this type of initiatives is the need to make every effort to ensure the safety and quality of the support provided through regular supervision and attention to the confidentiality of the platforms used.
