How COVID-19 Impacts on Mental Health
Mental health encompasses cognitive and emotional wellbeing. As per the WHO, mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual can cope up with day to day stress of life and can work productively. Many factors contribute to a person’s mental health, including Biological, life trauma, and family history. Growing cases of anxiety, depression, and suicide have increased concerns regarding mental health worldwide; therefore, augmenting demand for mental health pharmaceuticals and related therapies. For instance, mental and neurological disorders account for 10% of the global disease burden, the WHO.
The World Federation for Mental Health appeals to all countries and their governments to ensure that national mental health plans are designed to manage the mental health consequences of the global coronavirus health emergency.
Mental health is a precious commodity and a national asset and should be prioritised in the same way as physical health.
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Many countries are currently experiencing the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The situation has become dire as we search for a vaccine to prevent more infections and stop the loss of thousands of lives. In many affected countries all health care services are currently subjected to enormous stress and extraordinary challenges while mental health and psychosocial support needs of people ‒ of those already using services as well as citizens experiencing insurmountable levels of stress ‒ continue to rise. Everyone is affected and no-one escapes the impact on our mental health health professionals working at the coalface of providing care yet suffering in silence.
It is undisputed that the current COVID-19 emergency will have long-lasting consequences and effects on the mental health of all people, affecting the general population with astonishingly heightened stress. On the other hand, impoverishment of services, their reduction and mergers, and the shortage of staff that are already present due to the economic crisis place mental health at the bottom of the list of health priorities.
The mental health of those with pre-existing conditions and disorders before the pandemic is of great concern. They are some of the most vulnerable people to the contagion and may lack access to proper information and medical care. Their human rights, safety, protection, and even their environment, are at risk.
There are some examples of psychiatric hospital units that have been converted into COVID-19 departments while there is severe and limited access to community mental health centres and facilities that in some areas have been closed. Outpatient services are restricted to emergencies only, limiting the offer of services. Few mobile teams are still operating in communities to assist people with psychosocial needs and social priorities.
Source: wfmh & The Insight Partners