- We notice a clear change in what the conversations are about. The older people who call here are talking more and more about not being able to cope anymore, that there is nothing left to live for now that they cannot meet relatives and friends anymore, says Margareta Söderström, who is a volunteer on Mind's support line for the elderly.

The elder line offers anonymous support calls to the elderly and was started by the organization Mind 2012.

- I have received phone calls from the elderly for several years and what I notice now after the corona epidemic broke out is that many elderly people feel so bad that they even consider ending their lives, says Margareta Söderström.

Significant increase in calls

Mind sees a clear increase in the need for support and assistance in the elderly now during the corona epidemic. During March to May 2019, Mind answered a total of 1,200 calls. In the same period this year, 6,600 were answered.

- We have hired extra staff and gone out with more information that we are there. It is clear that the need is very large in this group, says Karin Schulz, secretary general of Mind.

According to Margareta Söderström, who both answers by phone and coaches other volunteers on the elderly line, it is not primarily the corona virus that the elderly are worried about, but the conversations are about loneliness and meaninglessness now that the elderly cannot meet children and grandchildren.

- You feel that "now I don't want this anymore", that you have nothing left to live for, says Margareta Söderström.