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Scientific articles
Mental Health and COVID-19: Early evidence of the pandemic’s impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world(1). While many individuals have adapted (2), others have experienced mental health problems, in some cases a consequence of COVID-19infection (3–5). The pandemic also continues to impede access to mental health services and has raised concerns about increases in suicidal behaviour (6). The aim of this scientific brief is to present current evidence regarding the mental health aspects of the pandemic and inform prevention, response and recovery efforts worldwide. The target audience includes health care providers, researchers, policymakers and any other stakeholders interested in the evidence on COVID-19 and mental health.
Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak
In January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO stated that there is a high risk of COVID-19 spreading to other countries around the world. In March 2020, WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic. WHO and public health authorities around the world are acting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. However, this time of crisis is generating stress throughout the population. The considerations presented in this document have been developed by the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use as a series of messages that can be used in communications to support mental and psychosocial well-being in different target groups during the outbreak.
Mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal analyses of adults in the UK COVID-19 Mental Health & Wellbeing study
The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the population’s mental health and well-being are likely to be profound and long lasting.
University students’ well-being in the era of the coronavirus pandemic in Turkey
The findings indicated that students experienced lesser levels of emotional, social, and psychological well-being during the pandemic. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores of well-being across the gender. Also, students belonging to above-average perceived economic status experienced greater psychological well-being than the students belonging to below-average perceived economic status. Students are at risk of developing mental health problems and poor well-being in the face of stressful situations.
Students in Turkey During the Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Psychological Flexibility, Coronavirus Anxiety, Humor and Social Media Addiction During COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey
Taking care of your mental health during COVID-19 pandemic advice and recommendations
- 6 strategies for teenagers faced with the new (temporary) situation
- How to organize time in home quarantine daily routine during home quarantine
- How to function well day by day wellbeing plan
- How to cope with the new situation during the coronavirus epidemic
- Take care of yourself in the time of COVID-19 outbreak
Our mental health during COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Activities to preserve the mental health of people in isolation/quarantine or those experiencing panic fear of the pandemic
Mental health in the context of a pandemic
In conditions of social isolation, many people who already suffer from mental health problems may experience a worsening of their symptoms, and for others, the lack of social contact may lead to their triggering.
On the other hand, the stress people are under due to the constant flow of information can also have a strong negative impact on their psyche. Most of us are currently forced to adapt to a new life situation - with insufficient social contacts, isolation from relatives and friends, working from home or forced leave, household problems, financial difficulties and many others. In moderation, stress is beneficial because it is a state in which our body prepares or adapts to different situations, triggering a response system to protect against danger. Negative stress, in turn, leads to exhaustion of the body.
Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Lockdown and Quarantine Measures for COVID-19 Pandemic on Children, Adolescents and Caregivers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
During the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, psychological problems like anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, inattention and sleep disturbance are fairly common among quarantined children in several studies. A systematic review of these publications to provide an accurate burden of these psychiatric/behavioral problems is needed for planning mitigating measures by the health authorities.
The Relationship Between Children's Problematic Internet-related Behaviors and Psychological Distress During the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated negative effects on psychological well-being worldwide, including in schoolchildren. Government requirements to stay at home and avoid social and school settings may impact psychological well-being by modifying various behaviors such as problematic phone and Internet use, yet there is a paucity of research on this issue. This study examined whether the COVID-19 outbreak may have impacted problematic smartphone use (PSU), problematic gaming (PG), and psychological distress, specifically the pattern of relationships between PSU, PG, and psychological distress in schoolchildren.
Young people's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
The ongoing impact of the pandemic, particularly on the most disadvantaged, highlights the importance of identifying and meeting the support needs of children and young people.
University students’ mental health and affect during COVID-19 lockdown in Greece:the role of social support and inclusion of others in the self
The aim of the study was to examine the perceived social support and inclusion of others in the self as predictors of students’ mental health and affect during COVID-19lockdown. One hundred and thirty-seven university students from Greece participated in a cross-sectional study completing a number of self-report online questionnaires such as the General Health Questionnaire, the Job Affect Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Inclusion of Others in the Self scale. Results indicated that perceived social support and inclusion of others in the self were negatively correlated with students' mental health status and negative affect and positively correlated with positive affect.Moreover, perceived social support from family and inclusion of others in the self were predictors of students’ mental health and positive affect. The present findings highlight the importance of family support and interpersonal closeness in students’ mental health during pandemic. The practical applications and limitations of the research study are discussed.
The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns: a review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies and natural experiments
This study conducts a rapid review and meta-analysis of long-term studies and natural experiments exploring the relationship between containment measures for COVID-19 and mental health.
COVID-19: Psychological support needs are growing, while opportunities to receive it are diminishing.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of people are in need of psychological support. However, they have fewer opportunities to receive it – to some extent, psychological assistance programs have been scaled back in 93 percent of the countries that participated in the survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) from June to August of this year.
The death of loved ones, isolation, income loss, and fears – all these consequences of the pandemic negatively impact mental well-being and exacerbate existing disorders. Many suffer from insomnia, experience constant anxiety, and there is an increase in the consumption of alcohol and drugs. At the same time, COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for people with chronic neurological or mental health conditions, as well as those with dependencies – they have a higher probability of severe COVID-19 and even death.
"Good mental health is a key to overall health and well-being," noted WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Worldwide, COVID-19 has disrupted the provision of critical psychological support at the very moment when it is particularly needed." Dr. Tedros called on governments to support programs providing essential psychological assistance – both during the pandemic and in the future.
Analyze and synthesize research on the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a tremendous shock for the entire world, creating not only a threat to life and health but also complex psychological conditions. Despite a large number of theoretical and empirical studies, the origin of the pandemic remains a mystery. The conclusions presented by researchers about the nature of COVID-19 are not exhaustive and final. Therefore, scientists are yet to determine the nature and impact of the pandemic on individuals. The goal is to analyze and synthesize research on the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the post-COVID situation, and psychological assistance for individuals in post-traumatic situations. Materials, results, and discussion. Systemic and interdisciplinary approaches are used to address the research problem. The rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide led to a disruption of regular social connections and employment. The pandemic triggered intra-family and interpersonal conflicts, an increase in depressive, anxious, and panic states, alcoholism, and drug addiction. The self-isolation regime significantly affected our usual way of life, revealing psychological instability and post-traumatic stress in the majority of the population. Conclusions. The experience of COVID-19 has shown that the ability to maintain a positive mood, assess the situation accurately, act correctly, demonstrate creativity in solving crucial tasks, the ability to protect oneself, loved ones, and friends, and trust each other are alternatives to anxious or panic emotional states.
The Specifics of Psychological Stress in Teachers During Distance Teaching Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.
According to contemporary research, teachers experience stress more than representatives of many other professions. In order to study the peculiarities of psychological stress and coping mechanisms in the conditions of a sudden transition to remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 teachers from different regions of Russia. During remote learning, teachers are faced with the task of implementing the educational program despite their own anxieties caused by the pandemic, emotionally supporting students, and stimulating their motivation for learning. Factors that intensify stress among teachers, according to the interview results, include the absence or insufficient support from the school administration, a significantly increased workload due to the need to find new teaching methods and prepare materials considering the remote format, an increased volume of communication with students and their parents, and a growth in the number of homework assignments for assessment. A specific stress factor in the researched situation is the new work-from-home format and the altered balance between work and personal time. The most common coping strategies for stress and reducing its consequences include finding positive meaning and/or new opportunities in the situation, communicating with loved ones, seeking help from colleagues, physical activity, and engaging in hobbies.