The global COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War Two. Since its emergence in Asia late last year, the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica. But COVID-19 is much more than a health crisis. By stressing every one of the countries it touches, it has the potential to create devastating social, economic and political crises that will leave deep scars.

We are in uncharted territory. Many of our communities are unrecognizable from even a week ago. Dozens of the world’s greatest cities are deserted as people stay indoors, either by choice or by government order. Communities around the world have faced immense challenges – unemployment, lockdowns, restricted access to places of worship and the lack of physical contact with family members, friends and colleagues. It is not surprising that when the pandemic began to impact the world, the demand for mental health services increased noticeably.

Anxiety, fear and stress are normal when we are faced with uncertainty and the unknown. The pandemic has significantly changed our daily lives, our routines, restricted our movements and our innate coping mechanisms. The pandemic has caused intense stress and disruption for all people, and is causing pronounced mental health concerns, including suicidal thoughts and feelings, in various vulnerable groups of the population, including parents, those with existing mental illness or mental health issues, Indigenous people and those with a disability, and minorities. Yet, unfortunately, many communities have limited access to health services and mental health support, and according to a WHO Survey, the pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of 130 countries worldwide.

Our webinar follows World Suicide Prevention Day and comes ahead of the upcoming World Mental Health Day, offering a chance to gain insight on the efforts to protect vulnerable populations in Asia.  Panelists from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand will discuss various coping mechanisms, including religious and spiritual coping strategies as not just of the possible tools, but also as an essential and important mean that can be used to deal with all the negative consequences of COVID-19 effects. In partnership with the University of Malaya, this webinar will also be opened by Dr. Rosilawati Zainol, Director of the Centre for Civilizational Dialogue.