Abstract
Introduction: The immediate impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on morbidity and mortality has raised the need for accurate and real-time data monitoring and communication. The aim of this study is to document the initial observations from multiple digital services providers during the COVID-19 crisis, especially those related to mental health and well-being.Methods: We used email and social media to announce an urgent call for support. Digital mental health services providers (N = 46), financial services providers (N = 4), and other relevant digital data source providers (N = 3) responded with quantitative and/or qualitative data insights. People with lived experience of distress, as service users/consumers, and carers are included as co-authors.Results: This study provides proof-of-concept of the viability for researchers and private companies to work collaboratively toward a common good. Digital services providers reported a diverse range of mental health concerns. A recurring observation is that demand for digital mental health support has risen, and that the nature of this demand has also changed since COVID-19, with an apparent increased presentation of anxiety and loneliness.Conclusion: Following this study, we will continue to work with providers in more in-depth ways to capture follow-up insights at regular time points. We will also onboard new providers to address data representativeness. Looking ahead, we anticipate the need for a rigorous process to interpret insights from an even wider variety of sources in order to monitor and respond to mental health needs.
Highlights
The immediate impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on morbidity and mortality has raised the need for accurate and real-time data monitoring and communication
During the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, traditional mental health services and related activities declined, in part, due to outpatient clinics being closed to adhere to social distancing requirements, mental health staff redeployment, and inpatient beds being converted into COVID-19 units
During the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (2002– 2004) epidemic, social disengagement, mental stress, and anxiety were associated with increased suicide rates in the elderly population [2]
Summary
The immediate impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on morbidity and mortality has raised the need for accurate and real-time data monitoring and communication. As governments attempt to contain the virus, we must mitigate the mental health impact of the pandemic and economic crisis, especially given that pre-COVID-19 predictions already indicated that by 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disease burden globally [1]. Frontline healthcare workers face the possibility of anxiety and burnout [6, 7] and moral injury [8], alongside fears of becoming ill. This is more pronounced among ethnic minority frontline healthcare workers due to the apparent increased health risks associated with COVID19 [9]. A survey conducted in March 2020, just as the lockdown rules were coming into place in the USA, highlighted higher levels of psychological distress among lower income households [13]
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