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Abstract
The ultra-brief psychological interventions (UBPI) was created in 2018 to empower healthcare providers with psychological skills that can be delivered within a short period. Techniques used within UBPI were adopted from a variety of well established psychotherapies and distilled into its core essentials. This enabled practitioners of UBPI to deliver specific psychological skills in the appropriate context to the client within a period of 15-20 min. UBPI was also manualised to standardised training of practitioners. During the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, UBPI was modified to suit the unique psychological demands of the pandemic. This article presents how UBPI was adapted and used with healthcare providers dealing with COVID-19 and also with the public who required psychological first aid (PFA).
Keywords: psychotherapy, mental health, COVID-19, psychiatry, PFA
Introduction
The novel coronavirus disease of 2019, otherwise known as COVID-19, was declared as a global pandemic with an alarmingly fast spread and worrisome consequences by the World Health Organization (WHO) during a media briefing in March 2020. Four key points were highlighted: i) be prepared for the pandemic; ii) focus on detecting, protecting and treating those affected; iii) reduce transmission and iv) innovate and learn. These recommendations involved multiple stakeholders, from frontline healthcare, public health and even political leaders. These recommended measures have thrown up unique challenges to various countries due to limitations in capacity, resources or resolve, including Malaysia (i).
Mental health is a crucial area that cannot be ignored during this critical period. The multiple changes brought upon us all by the pandemic pose a unique challenge in mental health service delivery. The restriction in freedom of movement and face to face service provision are examples of new challenges. As a result, there needs to be a dramatic shift in how psychological services are to be delivered. Li et al. (2) summarises how China is addressing these challenges with a progressive and dynamic approach. One of the main adaptations was the creation of emergency psychological crisis intervention services and the formation of expert groups that can provide professional input with health authorities.
There are also new barriers in mental health delivery during this COVID-19 crisis in Malaysia. The strict movement restriction order and isolation procedures that were implemented, while necessary, have...