Key Messages

• Several groups across the Asia Pacific region are at higher risk of the negative mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and may experience more barriers to accessing digital and virtual care
• Challenges include interruptions in standard mental health care, lack of access to culturally or linguistically appropriate care, barriers to accessing digital technology or the Internet, and persistent health and socioeconomic inequalities.
• Recommendations include involving at-risk groups in consultations about planning for mental health care, improving accessible options (e.g. multiple languages, format and platforms) for digital and virtual care, investing in research on the effectiveness of digital and virtual care for at-risk groups, and addressing the underlying socioeconomic contributors to poor mental health

Keywords

• Mental health
• Digital health
• Virtual mental health care
• At-risk groups
• Vulnerable populations
• Asia-Pacific
• Equity
• Psychosocial risk factors
• COVID-19
• Rapid review

Author(s)

• Nominated Principal Applicant: Dr. Raymond Lam, Professor and BC Leadership Chair in Depression Research; Associate Head for Graduate and Undergraduate Education, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia; Director, Mood Disorders Centre, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health; Executive Director, APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health.
• Dr. Jill Murphy, University of British Columbia
• Dr. Raymond Lam, University of British Columbia
• Dr. Erin Michalak, University of British Columbia
• Amna Khan, University of British Columbia

For more information, please contact: Dr. Jill Murphy, jill.murphy@ubc.ca

Related Syntheses

• Knowledge Synthesis for Mechanistic and Targeted In-Person and Digital Social-Connection Intervention for Wellness and Resilience in Older Adults in Pandemic Context and Beyond
• School-Based Suicide Risk Assessment Using eHealth: A Scoping Review
• Niikaniganaw (All My Relations) Ii – the COVID-19 Rapid Response: Indigenous Approaches to Synthesizing Knowledge for Culturally-safe and Stigma Free Mental Health Care for Under-served Indigenous Communities in Ottawa-Gatineau

Download

(External links)

Full PDF

Lay Summary PDF

Population

General Population

Language

To ensure the rapid dissemination of this critical information, information is published in the language in which it was submitted. Please contact us for French or English translations.