Promoting mental wellbeing through internet during COVID-19: A case report in Yunnan, China

ABSTRACT

People’s lives were significantly impacted when China underwent a self-quarantine period, spanning multiple weeks to months, due to COVID-19. The impacts of this quarantine included disruption of daily occupational habits and balance, having resulted in compromised physical and mental health. During this physical distancing period, occupational therapists in Yunnan Province of China delivered a health promotion programme using WeChat, an online platform. The main purpose of the programme was to support the redesigning of a person’s lifestyle in the face of the pandemic, as well as to enable participation in occupations that foster their self-efficacy and mental wellbeing. During the self-quarantine period, the programme was accessed frequently, with viewers spanning from practicing therapists to the general public. Findings from WeChat analytics and follow up interviews with programme viewers suggested that internet-based health promotion programme can be effective in places where internet is commonly used by the general public.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• occupational engagement
• occupational therapy
• lifestyle redesign
• China

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).