|
Abstract
|
Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, 2020, Malaysia has navigated through periods of partial and full lockdowns, with border closures being enforced and interstate travel being restricted. These restrictions have severely impeded the provision of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable members of society, including refugees and asylum seekers.
In Malaysia, as of Dec 1, 2020, over 178 140 refugees and asylum seekers are registered with the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). We have done surveys of refugees in Malaysia and found that the prevalence of mental disorders was extremely high, with up to 43% meeting criteria for at least one of the common mental disorders including depression, generalised anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and complicated grief.
The UNHCR public health response measures to COVID-19 in Malaysia have largely focused on the following aspects: food security and money assistance, sexual and gender-based violence and child protection, protection services and documentation, clinical and telehealth services, health services for communicable and non-communicable diseases, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). The MHPSS framework draws on the multilayered system of services recommended by the Inter-agency Standing Committee: social consideration in basic services and security, strengthening community and family support, focused psychosocial support, and clinical services. A stepped-care model combining broad-based supportive activities with specialist services and functional referral pathways between different layers of services is needed for scaling up MHPSS for refugees in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic...
Language: en |