Viewpoint: Investing in strategies to support mental health recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global economic as well as health shock. Policy makers have had to make invidious choices in very uncertain circumstances, balancing strict public health measures to slow the spread of the virus against the adverse health, educational, and economic consequences of these choices. Attention has therefore rightly focused on the immediate mental health consequences of the pandemic, both for the general population and for people with preexisting mental ill health, including impacts on rates of self-harm and completed suicide.Evidence from a growing number of longitudinal studies indicates many sustained adverse impacts on mental health, albeit their magnitude varies across populations and countries. For instance, longitudinal analysis of 15,000 UK adults reported significantly increased levels of mental health problems for all age groups and genders, not only immediately after initial lockdown, but also in the subsequent months when restrictions were eased [1]. Effects appear especially pronounced for people with existing mental health problems, young people, women, and older people [2].These adverse impacts on poor mental health did not always immediately translate into additional use of services. Early analyses suggest rates of hospital-presenting self-harm initially fell in countries hard hit during the first COVID wave, including England [3], France [4], and Spain [5]. Demand for mental health services is likely to have been suppressed, partially due to lockdown restrictions, as well as the understandable fear of contracting COVID in healthcare settings. In Ireland, for example, there is evidence that hospital presenting self-harm rates rose markedly after the initial fall at the beginning of the pandemic [6].Much more will be learnt as longer-term data on mental health become available, including for individuals who have been bereaved or are living with long-COVID. However, policy makers and service planners cannot wait for long term impacts to become apparent, they need to formulate policy now to deal with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and its aftermath over the next few years. It is therefore imperative that the mental health community is effective in its communications on the likely sustained adverse impacts on mental health of the pandemic.To do this, we can draw on evidence from the past. Impacts on population mental health of previous economic shocks, including the 2008-2009 global economic crisis, have been analysed at length [7]. Most studies, across multiple countries, point to an association between economic shocks and enduring but time-delayed adverse impacts on population mental health, including suicidal behaviour. This is a critical message to convey to policy makers; even when the pandemic is fully contained there will be additional future demands on mental health services.What distinguishes the current situation from previous crises has been the enormous and rapid investment in social protection measures in Europe to maintain the incomes of millions of people...

Long-Term Impact of Economic Downturn and Loneliness on Psychological Distress: Triple Crises of COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Policy makers need to envisage the influences of socioeconomic determinants of mental health, which could be of particular importance in the aftermath of COVID-19 [ 44 ]. An increased demand for mental health services is likely to persist for a long period of time, given the association between economic hardship and mental health problems [ 45 ]. A rapid investment in social protection measures (e.g., income security and bankruptcy safeguard) may protect mental health in the short term [ 46 ].…”

“…However, this can only be achieved through adequate resourcing for those measures. A key step to alleviate the mental health burden of such factors is to identify and target specific and high-priority economic sectors with the greatest immediate unemployment risks in the post-COVID-19 era [ 45 ]. This is also relevant given that economic recovery depends on a resilient workforce, something that is promoted by mental health recovery support [ 45 ].…”

‘It’s Easily the Lowest I’ve Ever, Ever Got to’: A Qualitative Study of Young Adults’ Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Lockdowns in the UK

“…The findings of this study also highlight the need to consider the long-term practical implications of the pandemic for mental health. We are likely to experience a lag between the end of containment measures and a decrease in demand on mental health services [53]. Young people have been particularly prone to increased levels of mental health issues in the months following the easing of restrictions [53].…”

Mental Health Screening of Healthcare Professionals Who Are Candidates for Psychological Assistance during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The evaluation of psychological coping profiles can allow for the early identification of those HCPs who are most vulnerable to the presence of possible psychopathologies, as well as facilitating proactive therapeutic interventions compensating the DRMs by empowering the functional ones [ 84 ]. It also allows for optimal management of the financial and human resources needed to reduce the risk of the psychological consequences suffered by HCPs [ 85 , 86 ].…”