text: Emergent Crisis of COVID 19 Pandemic Mental Health Challenges and Opportunities Mental health is a fundamental human right and is part of the well being of society The public health burden of mental health disorders affects peoples social and economic status around the world Coronaviruss COVID 19 negative impact on the economy and mental health worldwide is concerning This is a worldwide emergency and there is an urgent need for research about this topic to prevent long lasting adverse effects on the population Unpreparedness and inconsistencies in guidelines lockdowns containment strategies unemployment financial losses physical distancing isolation chaos and uncertainty are among factors that lead to a rise in emotional distress anxiety and depression Governments decisions affect the socioeconomic status of a country and the psychological well being of the people COVID 19 pandemic exposed disparities in multiple mental health care systems by having adverse mental health effects in people with pre existing mental health disorders and previously healthy individuals Aggregation of concurrent or cumulative comorbid risk factors for COVID 19 disease and its psychosocial sequelae could provide invaluable information for the public health stakeholders This review aims to address the burden and the psychosocial impact of the COVID 19 pandemic the challenges and opportunities facing mental health systems and proposes new strategies to improve the mental health outcomes in the post COVID era 