The Emergence of Mental Health Awareness in The Wake of COVID-19

As the world deals with the disastrous repercussions of COVID-19, there has been a global rise in awareness of mental health and its importance.

The pandemic brought many changes that have altered the way we live and move around the world. As a result of these changes, a lot of people have experienced, and perhaps continue to experience, a negative effect on their mental health.

People feel stressed and anxious about their financial situation, loneliness from being in quarantine, and separated from loved ones, not to mention the general distress. Despite the situation having calmed down a bit, there is the belief that things will never be the same again. The psychological impact from the situation shone a light on a topic a lot of people have neglected: the importance of mental health and the role it plays in our daily functioning.

International organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement in late March with suggestions on how to take care of our mental health amidst the changes of the world (World Health Organization, 2020). Similarly, the United Nations (UN) also released a policy brief titled ‘COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health’ urging governments to consider mental wellbeing a national health priority (United Nations, 2020).

Closer to home, there have been more mental health initiatives than ever in the UAE. At the start of the quarantine, the National Happiness and Wellbeing Programme (NHWP) initiated a campaign on Instagram called ‘Don’t Worry’ that involved numerous psychologists talking about various aspects of mental health over five weeks (United Arab Emirates Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, 2020). After the campaign ended, the NHWP, in collaboration with other government entities, began a mental health support line provided by volunteers that are mental health professionals (Salman, 2020). As a mental health advocate who has long been hoping for such a support system, I was extremely delighted to hear of the news. I even used it to ask a question regarding their recruitment process and was pleased with the quick response. I also learned that the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has also started a mental health support line in collaboration with professional psychologists from Al Amal Hospital. I have yet to approach this helpline but it is reassuring to know there are mental health support contacts if needed.

Even as businesses are slowly opening up, we need mental health support in transitioning to the new normal that is still ambiguous. Therefore, if you or a loved one needs some mental health support do not hesitate to contact the following numbers (based in the UAE):

NHWP helpline: 800 4673

MOHAP helpline: 04-5192519

While this awareness was brought about by an extreme situation, I, for one, am glad that I can have more conversations about mental health with my family and peers. These efforts from the government have brought more awareness to mental health and psychological illness. As a community, we should continue doing our best to fight against the stigma and spread awareness by normalizing seeking mental healthcare when needed.

References

Salman, N. (2020). UAE National Happiness Programme launches mental health hotline. Retrieved from Emirates News Agency: https://wam.ae/en/details/1395302843558

United Arab Emirates Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future. (2020). Psychological effects of the COVID-19 discussed. Retrieved from United Arab Emirates Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future.

United Nations. (2020). Policy Brief: COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health.

World Health Organization (2020). Looking after our mental health. Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/healthyathome/healthyathome—mental-health