Abstract
Introduction:Mental health concerns and treatment usually take a backseat when the limited resources are geared for pandemic containment. In this global humanitarian crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have been reported from all over the world.Objectives:In this study, we attempt to review the prevailing mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic through global experiences, and reactive strategies established in mental health care with special reference to the Indian context. By performing a rapid synthesis of available evidence, we aim to propose a conceptual and recommendation framework for mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:A search of the PubMed electronic database and google scholar were undertaken using the search terms ‘novel coronavirus’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘nCoV’, SARS-CoV-2, ‘mental health’, ‘psychiatry’, ‘psychology’, ‘anxiety’, ‘depression’ and ‘stress’ in various permutations and combinations. Published journals, magazines and newspaper articles, official webpages and independent websites of various institutions and non-government organizations, verified social media portals were compiled.Results:The major mental health issues reported were stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, denial, anger and fear. Children and older people, frontline workers, people with existing mental health illnesses were among the vulnerable in this context. COVID-19 related suicides have also been increasingly common. Globally, measures have been taken to address mental health issues through the use of guidelines and intervention strategies. The role of social media has also been immense in this context. State-specific intervention strategies, telepsychiatry consultations, toll free number specific for psychological and behavioral issues have been issued by the Government of India.Conclusion:Keeping a positive approach, developing vulnerable-group-specific need-based interventions with proper risk communication strategies and keeping at par with the evolving epidemiology of COVID-19 would be instrumental in guiding the planning and prioritization of mental health care resources to serve the most vulnerable.
Highlights
Mental health concerns and treatment usually take a backseat when the limited resources are geared for pandemic containment
The major mental health issues that have been reported to have been associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, denial, anger and fear globally. (Torales et al, 2020) Stress, anxiety and depression go hand in hand with the COVID19 pandemic, results from studies done globally has shown the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders among various population groups (Ji et al, 2017; Mohindra et al, 2020; Xiao et al, 2020b)
A recent article published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that COVID-19 may lead to increased risk of suicide (Xiang et al, 2020)
Summary
Mental health concerns and treatment usually take a backseat when the limited resources are geared for pandemic containment In this global humanitarian crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have been reported from all over the world. Objectives: In this study, we attempt to review the prevailing mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic through global experiences, and reactive strategies established in mental health care with special reference to the Indian context. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 (Coronavirus (COVID-19) events as they happen, 2020.) COVID-19 Pandemic has reached a level of a humanitarian crisis with over 6 million confirmed cases and 350,000 deaths reported globally to date (Up to 31st May 2020).
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