An Italy-China Collaboration for Promoting Public Mental Health Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Maria Luisa Scattoni,Giovanni De Girolamo,Jun Xia,Fabrizio Starace

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.640205

Abstract

The rapid evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergency involved Italy as the first European country. Meanwhile, China was the only other country to experience the emergency scenario, implementing public health recommendations and raising concerns about the mental health of the population. The Italian National Institute of Health [Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS)] reviewed relevant scientific literature in mental health to evaluate the best clinical practices and established the collaboration with the WHO, World Psychiatry Association, and China to support the public health system in a phase of acute emergency. This process permitted the definition of organizational and practical-operational Italian guidelines for the protection of the well-being of healthcare workers. These guidelines have been extensively disseminated within the Italian territory for maximum stakeholder utilization.

Highlights

The Rapid Evolution of the Italian SARS-CoV-2 EmergencyStarting from February 2020, Italy was the first European country facing the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergency
We identified the Chinese guideline entitled “Guideline for Psychological Adjustment During the COVID-19 Pandemic” produced by the Disease Control and Prevention Department, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China
The translation of Chinese guidelines has been useful in the preparation of the organizational and practical-operational guidelines for the health workers report “Interim guidance for the appropriate support of the health workers in the SARS-CoV2 emergency scenario,” developed by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) Mental Health and Emergency Working Group COVID-19, which is accessible on the institutional ISS website

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Starting from February 2020, Italy was the first European country facing the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergency. All Italian people suddenly experienced confinement at home, physical distancing, while simultaneously receiving dramatic news from all media concerning the pandemic evolution and hospital emergencies, with potential negative impacts on the mental health of the people, as shown in a recent German study [1]. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was rapid and dramatic in northern Italy, where COVID-19 health workers were suddenly asked to implement changes in activities and processes of care, such as team and workspace procedures. At the peak of the Italian pandemic, China was the only other country to experience the emergency scenario and lockdown. Guidelines for Health Workers’ Wellbeing health recommendations and raised concerns about the mental health of the general population and high-risk groups [3]

The Section on Policy Options and Implications

Physical Emotional

Actionable Recommendations

CONCLUSIONS