But one positive side effect of the pandemic is that many people, particularly young people in the region, have started to open up and seek help, despite cultural taboos surrounding mental illness in some countries.
In Samoa, 19-year-old Okalani Mariner was in high school when she started struggling with her mental health.
"For me, my depression was fuelled by academia," she said.
"And sometimes it did lead to really bad bouts of depression, because not only did I feel alone, but I also felt like I didn't have any help.