Clinical Psychology during COVID-19: Experiences from Six Frontline Hospitals in Mexico

Abstract

Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has generated clinical challenges for health personnel in general and hospital personnel in particular. In Mexico, the clinical psychologists who are part of the local hospital systems have adapted professional practices to provide mental health care in COVID-19 frontline hospitals. This text describes the actions and challenges arising from treating patients, families, and health workers in six COVID-19 hospitals in Mexico. It highlights the main problems identified, strategies to address them, and the barriers encountered during this pandemic. Finally, this document may be useful for planning clinical psychological activities within COVID-19 hospitals in places where new waves of contagion appear.

Mental disorders in Mexico 1990-2021. Results from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study

“…20,21 In Mexico, studies on clinical and student populations showed increases in the incidence of suicidal ideation, 22 a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety and stress in hospitalized people with COVID-19. 23,24 Confinement also brought along an increase in depression and suicidal ideation. 25 Although mental disorders estimated mortality in the Global Burden of Disease study is low, given that only deaths associated with anorexia are considered, it is important to note the relationship of other causes of death such as suicide.…”

Los trastornos mentales en México 1990-2021. Resultados del estudio <i>Global Burden of Disease</i> 2021

“…20,21 En México, estudios en poblaciones clínicas y de estudiantes mostraron incrementos en la incidencia de ideación suicida, 22 mayor prevalencia de depresión y ansiedad y estrés en personas con COVID-19 hospitalizadas. 23,24 El confinamiento trajo también incremento en la depresión e ideación suicida. 25 Aun cuando la mortalidad estimada por trastornos mentales en el Global Burden of Disease es baja, debido a que únicamente se consideran las muertes por anorexia, es importante señalar la relación de otras causas de muerte como el suicidio.…”

Commentary: The psychological and social impact of COVID-19: New perspectives of well-being

“…Telepsychology is effective in the assessment and treatment of different clinical conditions, such as depression and anxiety (Karyotaki et al, 2021;Pauley et al, 2021) substance abuse and eating disorders (Taylor et al, 2021). Also, in interventions for emotional care in COVID hospitals (Landa-Ramírez et al, 2021;Sampaio et al, 2021) and grief (Dominguez-Rodriguez et al, 2021), among others. Some meta-analyses reveal its efficacy is comparable to traditional face-to-face treatments (Cuijpers et al, 2009;Andersson et al, 2019;Sora et al, 2022).…”

“…During this pandemic period, the use of telepsychology spread throughout the world, with high-income countries being the most successful in implementing it; however, in regions with economic and technological limitations, such as Latin America, it is important to continue increasing efforts for greater reach and coverage (Argüero et al, 2021;Landa-Ramírez et al, 2021;Domínguez-Rodríguez et al, 2022). And, although there is clarity about the advantages of its use, such as reduced costs and travel time, comfort, efficiency, reduction of the stigma of going to an office and preference for the use of technology; the need to address situations of confidentiality, acceptance, closeness, and compliance with general ethical standards in telepsychology has also been highlighted (Lin et al, 2022;Sora et al, 2022;Yuchang et al, 2022).…”