One by one, countries around the world went into lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 – flights were cancelled, borders were closed, small businesses were forced to shut their doors, and residents were told to stay at home. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread change that has undoubtedly taken its toll on everyone’s mental health.

"This is the defining global health crisis of our time,” said Dr. Tedros in a statement posted by the World Health Organization. “The days, weeks and months ahead will be a test of our resolve, a test of our trust in science, and a test of solidarity.”

In the United States, the month of May has been recognized as “Mental Health Month” since 1949. As well, Mental Health Research Canada has recognized the week of May 2-10 as Mental Health Awareness Week. While mental health and wellness continue to be a growing priority among policymakers, the impacts of COVID-19 has raised global attention to gaps in mental health education and resources.

In recognition of Mental Health Week, we are recognizing the work of our community partners as they continue to provide mental health support to their communities during this unprecedented time.

Humanity Crew launches new Tele-Therapy clinic for displaced persons

“Let’s not forget what distinguishes us, humans, from machines is the beautiful and the delicate soul within us,” said Humanity Crew co-founder Dr. Essam Daod. Humanity crew is an organization that provides mental health services to refugees and people in crises all over the world; they have assisted 600,000 individuals from 10 different countries.

Photo by Charlotte Hodges for Humanity Crew

The team at Humanity Crew is working towards creating a world where mental health support is incorporated into all emergency protocols for victims of humanitarian crises. Humanity Crew provides community-based activities, group sessions, and individual sessions that are designed with the refugees’ cultural background in mind, and presented in their mother tongue. They created an online clinic where they provide Tele-Therapy to individuals who are located in places that are not easily accessible.

During this time of COVID-19, Humanity Crew has started to provide live sessions on their Facebook page. Their team of psychologists facilitate discussions to answer questions people may have surrounding the pandemic and its impact on their mental health. Each week they discuss different topics and provide unique ways to cope with the crisis. Some of the topics include Stress and Coronavirus, fear and irrationality during the Coronavirus, strengthening mental immunity, how to emotionally survive the economic crisis, and how to make suffering bearable with our inner dialogue.

Visit Humanity Crew’s website and Facebook page to support their new programming.

HAART Kenya shares mindfulness techniques for survivors

HAART Kenya is an NGO based in Nairobi that is dedicated to fighting human trafficking in Eastern Africa. HAART Kenya applies the UN strategy to combat trafficking in persons: prosecution, prevention, protection, policy and partnership.

Yasmin Manji, the head of the psychosocial department at HAART Kenya said, “we are strong believers in the saying of ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup,’ so we started a virtual wellness program for HAART staff.” This virtual wellness program was developed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak with the hopes of providing a safe virtual space, where people can share their experiences, ask questions, and connect with people they were used to spending almost every day with. Manji said, “in the last session we engaged in a mindfulness exercise of Zen doodling to help with coping and do something fun as a team.” They are currently working to ensure the safety and security of all survivors within the care of their organization, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Caseworkers follow up with survivors through calls to make sure that their basic needs are met. Skype therapy sessions are also provided, which provides survivors with continuous access to mental health support.

To help support the continued efforts of HAART Kenya during this time please visit their website.

Turning Point is promoting independence for people living with mental illness in Eastern India

Turning Point is an organization that aids in the rehabilitation of people with mental illness living in India while dismantling the stigma associated with mental illness. Turning Point has cultivated an environment that helps people living with mental illness reintegrate themselves back into society, by teaching them social and financial skills, and educating them on their rights.

“People suffering from these types of illnesses have been ignored, abused, neglected and are considered a burden to society. We are a great source of encouragement for each other in whatever we do [...] Turning Point is helping us in the best way to improve our determination, confidence and willpower,” said Vikram, a program participant.

Photo by Ken Kurzweil for Turning Point Program

At the core of Turning Point’s work, is the goal of making the participants feel accepted, loved, and appreciate the joys of life. The process of rehabilitation at Turning Point is multifaceted. Days are filled with a range of activities focused on building the confidence and social skills necessary to accept and overcome each participant’s individual situations.

Turning Point provides programs that develop life skills and promote independence, these programs range from exercise classes, cooking lessons, money management, music lessons, current events program (helps them to remain up-to-date with what is happening within their community and around the world), group games, vocational training (pottery, stitching, handicrafts), participating in debates, learning how to travel alone and English classes.

“We have been able to transform the lives of thousands of people with chronic mental illness and intellectual disability. Now they are beaming with confidence. Some are doing [full-time] jobs. Many of them have turned in to an entrepreneur and are selling the handcrafted works they have learnt in skills developing sessions,” said Turning Point founder and psychologist, Ishita Sanyal.

To help support the continued efforts of Turning Point during this time please visit their website

Damnok Toek is providing resources for children home from school

Damnok Toek (DT) strives to help vulnerable children and youth in Cambodia, and ensure that their basic needs and rights are met and protected. Annually, this NGO assists approximately 3,500 children within Phnom Penh, Poipet and Neak Loeung. “When we talk about vulnerable children here, we talk about a lot of different cases such as street-living children, street-working children, trafficked children, substance abuse children and children with disabilities,” said Nathalie Nguyen, a representative from DT.

Photo by Lee Ann Bartran for Damnok Toek

“Thanks to Damnok Toek’s work, these children have a chance to access safe shelter care, medical care, counselling and education,” said Nguyen. The educational programs offered by Damnok Toek serve as a way to help reintegrate the children back into society and to give them a better future.

The Reception Centre at Damnok Toek was created as an adjunct to the Return and Reintegration of children trafficked to the Thailand Project. The primary goal of this initiative is to repatriate Cambodian children from Thailand. They provide children with legal aid, housing, food, access to justice, psychosocial support, and medical care.

Damnok Toek’s recovery shelters and transitional care centres help children and youth who were victims of trafficking/ child labour, and or children who were living on the streets. They provide them with counselling, trauma rehabilitation, and family tracing. With multiple school closures occurring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at Damnok Toek have developed resources and tips on how to keep kids active, learning, and safe while searching the internet. All of these resources can be accessed through their Facebook page.

To help support Damnok Toek please visit their website and Facebook page.

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