top of page
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute

Journal of Health and Medical Sciences

ISSN 2622-7258

Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.24.09 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.24.02 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.23.57 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.23.52 AM.png
crossref
doi
open access

Published: 16 April 2020

Emerging Mental Health Issues from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Jeavana Sritharan, Ashvinie Sritharan

Ontario Tech University, Metrics Vocational Inc., ASKRehab

journal of social and political sciences
pdf download

Download Full-Text Pdf

doi

10.31014/aior.1994.03.02.109

Pages: 157-162

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Mental Health, Pandemic, Psychological Distress

Abstract

The unprecedented widespread pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to have a tremendous impact on nations around the world. Government controls and restrictions were put in place and are currently being updated to increase social isolation and social (physical) distancing to slow the spread of the virus. As a result, it is expected that there will be unparalleled psychological distress impacting individuals at a global level. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue for the coming months with the possibility of multiple waves, it is imperative to understand the magnitude of mental health issues that will arise during and after this public health crisis. A review of existing literature was assessed to understand the mental health issues that emerge during a pandemic. MEDLINE, Pubmed, APA PsycInfo & CINAHL Plus were reviewed to identify articles published from 2000 to 2020. Of the 203 unique articles reviewed, 16 articles were included in this study. From these articles, important mental health themes identified were related to social isolation, social (physical) distancing, quarantine, caregiver stress, unemployment, and death/illness. The impact on frontline workers and those suffering from mental health disorders are also important factors during this pandemic. These themes provide important areas for mental health strategies and policies which will ultimately impact the burden of mental health in the months to come.

References

  1. Chan SS, Lam LCW & Chiu HFK. (2009). The emergence of the novel H1N1 virus: implications for global mental health. International Psychogeriatrics, 21(6): 987-989.

  2. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

  3. Douglas PK, Douglas DB, Harrigan DC & Douglas KM. (2009). International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 11(3): 1-9.

  4. Elizarraras-Rivas J, Vargas-Mendoza JE, Mayoral-Garcia M et al. (2010). Psychological response of family members of patients hospitalized for influenza A/H1N1 in Oaxaca, Mexico. BMC Psychiatry, 10: 104.

  5. Frasquilho D, Matos MG, Salonna F et al. (2016). Mental health outcomes in times of economic recession: a
    systematic literature of review. BMC Public Health, 16: 115.

  6. Goulia P, Mantas C, Dimitroula D et al. (2010). General hospital staff worries, perceived sufficiency of information and associated psychological distress during the A/H1N1 influenza pandemic. BMC Infectious Diseases, 10: 322.

  7. Hughes FA. (2010). H1N1 pandemic planning in a mental health residential facility. Journal of Pyschosocial
    Nursing, 48
    (3): 37-41.

  8. Kessler RC & Wittchen H. (2008). Post-disaster mental health need assessment surveys-the challenge of improved future research. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 17(S2): S1-S5.

  9. Lai J, Ma S, Wang Y et al. (2020). Factors associated with mental health outcomes among health care workers exposed to coronavirus disease 2019. JAMA Network Open, 3(3): e203976.

  10. Lee TMC, Chi I, Chung LWM et al. (2006). Ageing and psychological response during the post-SARS period. Aging & Mental Health, 10(3): 303-311.

  11. Park JS, Lee EH, Park NR & Choi YH. (2018). Mental health of nurses working at a government-designated
    hospital during a MERS-CoV outbreak: a cross-sectional study. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 32: 2-6.

  12. Perrin PC, McCabe OL, Everly GS & Links JM. (2009). Preparing for an influenza pandemic: mental health
    considerations. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 24(3): 223-230.

  13. Pfefferbaum B, Schonfeld D, Flynn BW et al. (2012). The H1N1 crisis: a case study of the integration of mental and  behavorial health in public health crises. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Prepardness, 6(1): 67-71.

  14. Stevenson E, Barrios L, Cordell R et al. (2009). Pandemic influenza planning: addressing the needs of children.
    American Journal of Public Health, 99(S2): S255-S260.

  15. Tansey CM, Louie M, Loeb M et al. (2007). One-year outcomes and health care utilization in survivors of severe
    acute respiratory syndrome. Archives in Internal Medicine, 167: 1312-1320.

  16. Taylor MR, Agho KE, Stevens GJ & Raphael B. (2008). Factors influencing psychological distress during a disease epidemic: data from Australia’s first outbreak equine influenza. BMC Public Health, 8: 347.

  17. World Health Organization. (2020). Coronavirus. https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

  18. Yao H, Chen JH & Xu YF. (2020. Patients with mental health disorders in the COVID-19 epidemic. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(4): PE21.

bottom of page