The Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health Facilities and Psychiatric Professionals

Abstract

(1) Background: While in many countries, the psychiatric and mental health sectors had been in crisis for years, the onset of a novel coronavirus pandemic impacted their structures, organizations, and professionals worldwide. (2) Methods: To document the early impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis on psychiatry and mental health sectors, a systematic review of the international literature published in 2020 was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE), Cairn.info, and SantéPsy (Ascodocpsy) databases. (3) Results: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 72 articles from scientific journals were selected, including papers documenting the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the organization of psychiatric care delivery, work processes in psychiatry and mental health units, and personal experiences of mental health professionals. This review identified the contributions aimed at preventing the onset of mental disorders in the early stages of the health crisis. It lists the organizational changes that have been implemented in the first place to ensure continuity of psychiatric care while reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. It questions the evolution of the rights and duties of mental health professionals in the first months of the pandemic. (4) Discussion and conclusions: Although this literature review exclusively documented the early impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis, it is of significant interest, as it pictures the unprecedent situation in which psychiatry and mental health care professionals found themselves in the first stages of the pandemic. This work is a preliminary step of a study to be conducted with mental health professionals on an international scale—the Psy-GIPO2C project—based on more than 15 group interviews, 30 individual interviews, and 2000 questionnaires. The final aim of this study is to formulate concrete recommendations for decision-makers to improve work in psychiatry and mental health.

COVID-19 and Physical Distancing Measures: Experience of Psychiatric Professionals in Europe

“…In all of the countries in this study, the professionals were confronted with an increase in their workload, which was linked to reorganization and additional hygiene-related tasks as well as to stress generated from uncertainty. Our study is consistent on this point with data from the scientific literature [ 19 ]. Depending on the human resources at their disposal, wards were able to reorganize with more or less difficulty in order to absorb the excess work and to compensate for COVID-19-related work leave.…”

“…An interview protocol for individual and group interviews were designed after a systematic review of the international literature [ 19 ] and following exchanges with members of the scientific board who also work in psychiatric wards [ 20 ]. These questionnaires were designed with three main themes: organizational adaptations and modifications, use of follow-up methods integrating digital tools, and personal and professional experiences related to the crisis.…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Forensic Mental Health Services and Clinical Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study

“…Forensic mental health services have implemented service-wide changes in practice in response to the pandemic. Systematic reviews [e.g., ( 20 )] and various commentaries ( 6 , 9 , 10 ) have described how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted psychiatric and mental health facilities and professionals globally. However, there is no empirical work to-date examining how these changes have affected forensic service outcomes, including frequency of incidents of violence, restrictive interventions, and service user level of risk.…”

Joint European policy on the COVID-19 risks for people with mental disorders: An umbrella review and evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for mental and public health

“…Psychiatric hospitals and inpatient or collective settings are a high-risk environment for major outbreaks [ 50 – 53 ]. COVID-19 rapid or PCR testing and/or quarantine before or upon admission may help in reducing outbreaks.…”