COVID-19 or coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease that was first identified in Wuhan, China. Despite the effects it has on people’s physical health, it has taken a toll on people’s mental health. And as COVID-19 continues to surge on, so does the mental health of the inhabitants of the world.
Ever since COVID-19 took its place in the world, people are constantly getting sick physically and mentally. Despite efforts to contain the coronavirus disease, it has not been as successful up until recently, with hopes of the vaccine being distributed worldwide.
Prior to the pandemic, less than 2 percent of many countries’ national health budget was spent on mental health services. However, the pandemic caused an increasing demand for the needed mental health services. Isolation, loss of income, and fear can trigger mental health conditions or strengthen existing ones. Many people may increase their intake of alcohol and drugs. Others may suffer from insomnia and anxiety. COVID-19 itself can also lead to neurological complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke. People with pre-existing disorders are also more vulnerable to infection and may have severe outcomes, such as death. Those who have preexisting mental health conditions may require immediate treatment or a tuning in their current treatment.
A released survey from the Centers for Disease Control found that from June 24-30, 2020, adults in the United States reported “considerably elevated adverse mental health conditions associated with COVID-19.” Besides COVID-19 forming a global pandemic, it has also created a “mental health pandemic.”
The pandemic has resulted in a negative turnout for many individual’s mental health as well as creating new walls for those who are already suffering. Those who reported having anxiety or depression symptoms went up from one in ten adults to four in ten adults.
A KFF Health Tracking Poll from July 2020 found that adults are reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and well-being, such as difficulty sleeping (36%), eating (32%), increases in alcohol consumption, substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%), due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.
A survey was conducted from June to August 2020 across WHO’s (World Health Organization) six regions. It evaluates how the mental, neurological and substance use services have changed due to COVID-19 and how countries are trying to overcome these challenges.
Countries reported disruptions of many kinds of critical mental health services:
Over 60% reported disruptions to mental health services for vulnerable people, including children and adolescents (72%), older adults (70%), and women requiring antenatal or postnatal services (61%).
67% saw disruptions to counseling and psychotherapy; 65% to critical harm reduction services; and 45% to opioid agonist maintenance treatment for opioid dependence.
35% reported disruptions to emergency interventions, including those for people experiencing prolonged seizures; severe substance use withdrawal syndromes; and delirium, often a sign of a serious underlying medical condition.
30% reported disruptions to access for medications for mental, neurological and substance use disorders.
Around three-quarters reported at least partial disruptions to school and workplace mental health services (78% and 75% respectively).
If you are in crisis, get immediate help:
Call 911
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chat
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat
Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chat or text: 8388255
Disaster Distress Helpline: CALL or TEXT 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish).
The Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 – TTY Instructionsexternal icon
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