Mental Health System Responsiveness during COVID-19 in People with Pre-Existing Psychiatric Disorders: Experiences from Iran

Abstract

Mental health system responsiveness (MHSR) is one of the important indicators in measuring the performance of mental health systems. Recognizing this function can be effective in responding appropriately to the needs of People with Pre-Existing Psychiatric Disorders (PPEPD). This study aimed to investigate MHSR during the COVID-19 period in PPEPD in Iran. Using stratified random sampling, 142 PPEPD who were admitted to a Psychiatric Hospital in Iran one year before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire as well as a Mental Health System Responsiveness Questionnaire through telephone interviews. The results show that the indicators of prompt attention, autonomy, and access to care were reported as the worst-performing and the confidentiality indicator as the best-performing. The type of insurance affected the access to care and the quality of basic amenities. MHSR has been reported to be poor in Iran in general and this problem worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Iran and the degree of disability of these disorders, structural and functional changes are needed for adequate MHSR.

Retrospective Analysis of the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the Mediterranean Part of Bulgaria, During the First Wave of the Pandemic

“…Some factors that have negative psychosocial consequences include media campaigns, lockdown, personal restrictions such as social distancing and all changes associated with COVID-19 that changed everyday life. 60 Mass media play an indispensable role in presentday society. They were actively used during the pandemic to provide information updates on the development of the pandemic, 61 encourage hygiene practices and health communication together with the WHO.…”