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Coping With COVID: A Webinar Series on Young People and Mental Health

Developed by: UN Secretary – General’s Envoy on Youth

Following the World Health Organisation’s classification of COVID-19 as pandemic, Governments all around the world have started to respond by enforcing measures such as social-distancing, quarantine and isolation. While necessary, these measures can have a significant effect on young people’s mental health. Fear, anxiety, anger, sadness and grief are compounded by being away from schools, work, peers, adjusting to new ways of learning and working, as well as fear of losing jobs and family income.

For this reason, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, in partnership with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, are hosting a series of webinars for young people, titled “#CopingWithCOVID”. Our aim is to provide young people with a platform for genuine connection amid uncertainty, encouraging them to field their questions to the experts from UNICEF and WHO, generate mental health awareness among young people, and strengthen demand for integrated mental health and psychosocial interventions.

You can watch the web series here

Create a Mental Wealth Plan

Do you have a ‘Mental Wealth Plan’?

During this time of uncertainty, many of us are focusing on our financial plans. It’s equally as important to focus on our ‘Mental Wealth Plan’.

A critical component of our Mental Wealth is taking the time to look inward, and making time for reflection.

Try using these daily checkpoints:

What am I worried about?
Spend time writing down everything that you are worried about. Label and accept your emotions without judgement.

What am I focusing on?
Recognize what you may be ruminating on, let go of things you can’t control.

What can I actually control right now?
Identity what you ‘can control’ right now. Start there.

What is this situation helping me become?
Consider are you becoming more resilient, grateful, empathetic, etc.

What am I grateful for?
Identify the small moments of joy in your day and practice gratitude.

What do I need?
Identify what your body and mind need and practice self-care.