The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a worrying report on how the pandemic has had a resounding impact on a significant increase in the prevalence of depression and anxiety rates throughout the planet (up to 25% more during the first year of pandemic), and make a lcall to attention to all countries to intensify services and support for mental health.
The report also highlights who has been most affected and summarizes the effect of the pandemic on the availability of mental health services and how this has changed during the pandemic.
Concerns about potential increases in mental health conditions had already led 90% of countries surveyed to include mental health and psychosocial support in their COVID-19 response plans, but significant gaps and concerns remain.
“The information we now have about the impact of COVID-19 on the world’s mental health is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is a wake-up call to all countries to pay more attention to mental health and do a better job of supporting the mental health of their populations.”
Multiple stress factors in the population
One of the main explanations for the increase is the unprecedented stress caused by the social isolation resulting from the pandemic. Linked to this were limitations on people’s ability to work, seek support from loved ones, and participate in their communities.
Loneliness, fear of infection, suffering and death of self and loved ones, grief after bereavement, and financial concerns have also been cited as stressors leading to anxiety and depression. Among healthcare workers, exhaustion has been a major trigger for suicidal thoughts.
Young people and women most affected
The report, which is based on a comprehensive review of existing evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and mental health services, and includes estimates from the latest Global Burden of Disease study, shows that the pandemic has affected the mental health of young people and who are at disproportionate risk of suicidal and self-injurious behaviour. It also indicates that women have been more severely affected than men and that people with pre-existing physical health conditions, such as asthma, cancer and heart disease, were more likely to develop symptoms of mental disorders.
The data suggest that people with pre-existing mental disorders do not appear to be disproportionately vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. However, when these people become infected, they are more likely to experience hospitalization, serious illness, and death compared to people without mental disorders. People with more serious mental disorders, such as psychosis, and young people with mental disorders are at particular risk.
Gaps in the care of mental pathologies
This rise in the prevalence of mental health problems has coincided with severe disruptions in mental health services, leaving huge gaps in care for those who need it most. For much of the pandemic, services for mental, neurological and substance use conditions were the most disrupted among all essential health services reported by WHO Member States. Many countries also reported major disruptions in life-saving mental health services, including suicide prevention.
By the end of 2021, the situation had improved somewhat, but today too many people are still unable to get the care and support they need for pre-existing and new mental health conditions.
Unable to access face-to-face care, many people have turned to support online, signaling an urgent need to make reliable and effective digital tools available and easily accessible. However, developing and implementing digital interventions remains a significant challenge in countries and settings with limited resources.
Action by WHO and other organizations to strengthen mental health
Since the early days of the pandemic, WHO and its partners have worked to develop and disseminate resources in multiple languages and formats to help different groups cope with and respond to the mental health impacts of COVID-19. For example, WHO produced a storybook for children aged 6-11, My Hero is You, now available in 142 languages and 61 multimedia adaptations, as well as a toolkit to support older adults available in 16 languages.
At the same time, the Organization has worked with partners, including other United Nations agencies, international non-governmental organizations and Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to lead an inter-agency mental health and psychosocial response to COVID -19. Throughout the pandemic, WHO has also worked to promote the integration of mental health and psychosocial support in all aspects of the global response.
WHO Member States have recognized the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and are taking action. The most recent WHO pulse survey on the continuity of essential health services indicated that 90% of countries are working to provide mental health and psychosocial support to COVID-19 patients and first responders alike. Furthermore, at last year’s World Health Assembly, countries emphasized the need to develop and strengthen mental health and psychosocial support services as part of strengthening COVID-19 preparedness, response and resilience and future public health emergencies. They adopted the updated Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, which includes an indicator on preparedness for mental health and psychosocial support in public health emergencies.
Intensify investment in mental health
However, this commitment to mental health must be accompanied by an overall increase in investment. Unfortunately, the situation highlights a chronic global shortage of mental health resources that continues today. The most recent WHO Mental Health Atlas showed that in 2020, governments around the world spent on average just over 2% of their health budgets on mental health and many low-income countries reported having less than 1 mental health worker. mental health per 100,000 people.
Dévora Kestel, Director of the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, sums up the situation: “While the pandemic has generated interest and concern about mental health, it has also revealed a historical underinvestment in mental health services. Countries must act urgently to ensure mental health support is available to all.”
Source: WHO
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