ECCT Special Lunch
Mental health in the time of coronavirus
Strategies for maintaining a healthy state of mind

Guest speaker
Michael Mullahy, Counselling Psychologist, Community Services Center

12:00 – 14:00, Friday, 8 May 2020
Venue: Residence 2, Grand Hyatt Hotel (1F)/ 台北君悅酒店 君寓二
Address: No. 2, Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110/台北市信義區松壽路2號

Over half of the world's population is currently living under some level of mandatory lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. While Taiwan authorities have not yet imposed general lockdown restrictions, recent arrivals from countries abroad and those who have come into contact with them have been placed in mandatory quarantine. But even for those lucky enough to escape the virus and able to move about more or less as normal, the pandemic has increased their anxiety about becoming infected or their partners, children, parents or loved ones becoming infected, along with a host of other related anxieties. As a consequence, a growing number of people are suffering from mental health problems.

Healthcare workers are of course on the front line and suffering fatigue from overwork, on top of anxiety given their high risk of contracting the disease for which there is currently no cure. For most other people, having to spend extended periods indoors has been shown to increase anxiety, especially for people already worried about catching the disease. Being trapped in a confined space for an extended length of time, even together with loved ones, puts strains on relationships. These can have devastating consequences. Reports from several countries of rising divorce rates and rates of domestic violence during lockdowns provides evidence of this. Meanwhile, those living alone often struggle with feelings of isolation, can have difficulty maintaining structure in their daily lives, and are at higher risk for depression and other disorders.

Add to this economic uncertainty. People in the travel and hospitality may already have been furloughed and worried about losing their jobs. If the pandemic continues and more stringent shutdown measures are imposed, many more sectors of the economy will be affected. People who still have jobs and are lucky enough to be able to work from home, may be struggling to adjust to a life with many competing demands, such as having to juggle taking care of children and parents, while also meeting work deadlines. These are just some of factors leading to increasing anxiety and mental health problems.

During this event, our host and presenter will discuss the psychological side of living through a pandemic - what makes this such a challenging time for so many, what psychological factors are involved, and what can we do about it? After the presentation, there will be an interactive Q&A session.

Among other topics, this event will provide the following:

• An introduction to the most common mental health problems facing people during the current pandemic
• Healthy coping strategies for dealing with living in isolation, both with and without other people
• Ways to prioritise actions and strike a healthy balance between competing demands from work and family members.

About the speaker

Michael Mullahy is a licensed counselling psychologist with the Community Services Center. Originally from the United States, he has a master's degree in counselling psychology from National Taiwan Normal University and works with adolescents and adults from Taipei's international community. Recently he has been interested in how the Covid-19 pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges to every single person, and in the very different ways that individuals and societies have responded to these challenges.

*Please note that, in line with government guidelines, attendance at this event will be limited to 50 people.
*Other guidelines such as temperature checks of arriving guests and personal hygiene measures will also be taken.
*In addition, in accordance with social distancing guidelines, tables will be placed far apart and seating will be limited to 5 people per table.

Cost: NT$1,400 per member; NT$2,000 for members' guests

To cancel without penalty, written cancellations must be received at least 1 working day before the event.
Contact: Amanda Shiao / Tel 2740-0236 ext. 212 / amanda.shiao@ecct.com.tw / www.ecct.com.tw