Abstract
This manuscript reviews the current state of knowledge about the burden of mental illness and assesses the impact of COVID-19 illness on mental health in Pakistan. For this we analyzed secondary data obtained from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study draws from a wide range of data sources to quantify global and regional effects of a disease. We also did a literature search on the effects of COVID-19 illness on mental health and the psychosocial effects of COVID-19 and other Corona virus related illnesses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Data from the studies obtained was utilized to extrapolate the anticipated effects of COVID-19 illness on healthcare workers, COVID-19 patients and the general public in Pakistan. Mental illness poses a significant challenge to Pakistan’s under resourced health care system. COVID-19 has the potential to strain Pakistan’s healthcare system to the breaking point. So far, the general morbidity from COVID-19 illness in Pakistan has been low compared to other countries but this could change in the coming weeks and months. Hidden within this crisis are also some opportunities for both healthcare and education.
Highlights
Neuropsychiatric illnesses pose an enormous burden both socially and economically in Pakistan
The prevalence of common mental illnesses is high and resources to deal with these illnesses are limited leading to considerable morbidity
During the SARS outbreak, studies reported a greater sense of personal danger due to constant media coverage of the spreading disease.[15]
Summary
Neuropsychiatric illnesses pose an enormous burden both socially and economically in Pakistan. During the SARS outbreak, studies reported a greater sense of personal danger due to constant media coverage of the spreading disease.[15] A survey of over 1200 people in China reported that during the initial phase of the current outbreak, half the respondents rated the psychological impact of the pandemic at moderate to severe and about one third reported moderate to severe anxiety.[16] While data specific for Pakistan does not yet exist, it is safe to say that the psychological burden will be significant due to a multitude of reasons: overcrowded and under resourced hospitals may get overwhelmed if cases spike; low literacy rates mean people have an incomplete understanding of the situation and may continue with ‘life as usual’ despite warnings by healthcare workers and the government and an economic downturn in a country where millions depend on daily wages may leave many with no income at all for extended periods of time. The move to virtual/online teaching, training and healthcare service and delivery will enable easier links with international educational institutions for much needed technology and expertise transfer to Pakistan
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