A small yet wealthy nation, Brunei Darussalam may seem a utopia to outsiders. Yet, beyond the richness of its façade, 1 in 8 people may be living with a mental health problem, considering that the population is under a half-million. Hence, in response, the country implemented laws, such as Mental Health Order 2014, to reduce the stigma and continue the conversations surrounding mental health. 

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a collective consciousness resulted in a state of vigilance, but also an anxiety about uncertainties of the present and future. Brunei has responded to the challenges of coronavirus through increasing public awareness of mental health, alongside further services and support to improve mental well-being.