Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic

Neethu George; Rock Britto; S Mani Prabhu; A Selvamathi; T A. Shaik Yehya Suhail; S Sharmila

doi:10.4103/jphpc.jphpc_25_21

BRIEF COMMUNICATION

Year : 2023 | Volume : 4 | Issue : 1 | Page : 48-51

Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic

Neethu George, Rock Britto, S Mani Prabhu, A Selvamathi, T A. Shaik Yehya Suhail, S Sharmila
Department of Community Medicine, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Hospital, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India

Date of Submission	25-Aug-2021
Date of Decision	15-Sep-2021
Date of Acceptance	22-Sep-2021
Date of Web Publication	15-Feb-2023

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Neethu George
Department of Community Medicine, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Hospital, Perambalur - 621 113, Tamil Nadu
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/jphpc.jphpc_25_21

Abstract

COVID-19 is a disease which invariably challenges all fundamental systems and organizations, economical patterns, and also the infrastructure in almost all the countries of the world. People in this period are facing both boon and ban in various aspects of surviving. The various milestones that were created as well as creating against the deadliest diseases and breakouts in this era give new perceptiveness to humanity. These newer areas unknown till to humans make some alterations in the normal life. Particularly, health systems are suffering more than other systems. In this global humanitarian crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues are sometimes ignored or kept aside as a secondary issue. This article highlights some of the hidden, yet understudied parts of mental health issues.

Keywords: COVID-19, lock down, mental health issues

How to cite this article:
George N, Britto R, Prabhu S M, Selvamathi A, Suhail T A, Sharmila S. Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic. J Public Health Prim Care 2023;4:48-51

How to cite this URL:
George N, Britto R, Prabhu S M, Selvamathi A, Suhail T A, Sharmila S. Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic. J Public Health Prim Care [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 5];4:48-51. Available from: http://www.jphpc.org/text.asp?2023/4/1/48/369662

Introduction

The coronavirus pandemic was gripping the whole world since the beginning of 2020. The coronavirus epidemic begun out from the Wuhan metropolis of China and has eventually unfold throughout the globe.^[1] The world had witnessed many issues during the time and have exposed many flaws among the countries as well as from eminent organizations. The toll of that particular pandemic has not only affected individuals but also companies and markets. The suspension of trade, international travel, and contacts across the world has shown a new dimension of isolation among the people.^[2]

[Figure 1] shows the implications and alterations the world has made and how it shifted the world's balance.

Figure 1: COVID-19 aspects

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This article tries to review the mental issues dealt by the people during the time.

Mental Issues

The mental issues due to the pandemic per se not only affect the existing mentally ill subjects but also general population. Mental health problems are a result of the current environment, which includes uncertainty, affection in all areas, including the physical and livelihood, and helplessness from all sides.^[3]

A survey conducted in China showed that 35% of the respondents experienced psychological distress. Female gender, working age, higher educated people, and people on migrant works had higher stress compared to others.^[4] Studies have shown that health-care workers also suffered from anxiety attacks and COVID-affected subjects had more likely chance of depression.^[5],[6]

In a study done at Spain by González-Sanguino et al. reported that 18.7% of the sample showed depressive, 21.6% anxiety, and 15.8% posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during covid times. Female gender, previous history of mental instability or neurological disorders, having affected with COVID virus, or those with a close relative infected were linked with positive affection of depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Belonging to female gender, previous history of mental instability or neurological disorders, having affected with COVID virus, or those with a close relative infected were linked with positive affection of depression, anxiety, or PTSD.^[7] The immediate psychological assessment of public in Italy showed that 10%–20% were suffering from extremely higher range of depression, anxiety, stress, and posttraumatic features.^[8] Studies from Italy, Iran, Turkey, and the USA also showed similar results, and also, the subjects who indulge more into COVID-related news were affected subjecting themselves to infodemic.^{[9],[10],[11],[12],[13]} An Indian survey showed that about 2/5^th of population is suffering from common mental health disorders.^[14] A recent online survey in the Indian community showed that 75% of subjects wanted some kind of care to the mental health-related issues.^[15]

The pandemic had made the development of various psychological and unpredictable issues which is discussed in [Table 1].

Table 1: The psychological and unpredictable issues in various population

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The issues needed to be identified by the grass root level first contact physicians and they needed to be alert about this. The training of first contact physicians is needed to identify and differentiate from the normal life distress. The incorporation of small counselling session to the vulnerable population is necessary. The promotion and encouragement of tele-consultation among the groups. Spread of awareness and imparting knowledge that stress is normal but when exceeds the need for seeking help should be endorsed. The need for separate sessions by the first contact physicians during the visit hours should be scheduled.

The review article done suggested that telemedicine can play an essential role and has been proven both effective and adequate for both primary health-care professional and community affected by the current pandemic.^[38]

Recommendations

Recommendations for various populations have been given in the [Figure 2].

Figure 2: Recommendations

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Conclusion

The ramification of COVID-19 pandemic has been felt internationally. Social distancing and lockdowns have resulted in temporary closure of several services. This article aimed to shed few lights into the unseen areas affecting population. The issues should not be simply ignored as the end of pandemic should not show a rise of another world with weakened mental stability. The medical education should be revamped so that the new emerging graduates should know about the importance of mental issues and its impact on the society at any situations.

Key points

Mental health toll affects the quality of life more than the physical illness which should be given apt consideration and awareness about the issues should be put forth with more empathy. The issues need to be showcased so that the health-care professionals would be more prepared to deal with it.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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