The mental health repercussions of COVID-19 have been very profound on a global scale, with experts calling it the “silent pandemic” of psychological distress. This paper therefore explores the wide-ranging mental health implications derived from the pandemic and its longer-term implications.
Scope of the Problem
The mental health price of COVID-19 has racked havoc on multitudes and from remote distances. Studies demonstrated a dramatic surge in rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions:
By November 2020, anxiety was at 50% and depression at 44%, which was a six times increase from 2019.
Anxiety among adults aged 18 to 29 stood at 65%, with depression at 61%.
Common mental health problems associated with COVID-19 are sleep disturbances (27.4%), fatigue (24.4%), cognitive impairment (20.2%), and symptoms of anxiety (19.1%).
Things That Have Contributed to Mental Health Decline
Several factors were credited as contributors to the general decline of mental health during the pandemic.
- Concern about helplessness related with the infection, hospitalization, and/or death
- Financial distress and job insecurity
- Isolation from society and interruption of routine by lockdown
- Grief and loss of loved ones
- Rising domestic tension and duress brought on by lockdowns
Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health
The mental health impact of COVID-19 is still entrenched in more than the initial phase of the pandemic:
Many of those infected by COVID-19 were still being faced with poor sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, one year following infection.
Many of the long COVID patients continue to report mental health symptoms of fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders.
The pandemic aggravated existing disparities in mental health, especially for vulnerable people.
Call to Action
As the world copes with another persistent mental health crisis, actions for increasing access to mental health services and support, integrating mental health care into primary healthcare systems, launching public awareness campaigns to alleviate stigma and shape help-seeking behavior, and researching both long-term mental health consequences of the pandemic and effective interventions loomed as imperative.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a silent mental health crisis that may have long-lasting consequences. As we continue to navigate the aftermath of this global event, addressing the mental health needs of individuals and communities must remain a top priority for healthcare systems and policymakers worldwide.