Source: asiainsurancereview.com

Mental health problems caused by the COVID-19 infections will be the next pandemic according to a new study published by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).

The authors of the study “Will We See a Wave of Mental Health Problems After the COVID-19 Pandemic?” speaking at the release said global economic costs associated with mental health problems have risen to a trillion dollars annually and 85% of those with mental disorders could not receive treatment in poor and middle-income countries, causing an ‘unprecedented global crisis’.

The report said, “Mental health can affect any person, regardless of their age, gender or economic status. But specific groups of people have been affected by the pandemic in different ways and the impact on their mental health is of particular concern and should be addressed properly.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected people’s health, but also their personal goals, their family dynamics, their role at work and their economic stability.” The other factors that have deepened this crisis include the modification of family roles, domestic violence, isolation, loneliness, grief due to loss of family or friends, generalised anxiety, professional burnout and post-traumatic stress.

The study also reported that between 30% to 60% of patients with COVID-19 have their central and peripheral nervous system affected leading to various issues. Delirium is the most frequent and acute neuropsychiatric syndrome suffered by COVID-19 patients, followed by a state of depression and anxiety, while depression and fatigue are more long-lasting conditions.

The study has urged for social protection strategies to combat problems arising from unemployment, the unexpected loss of loved ones, loneliness and isolation, with the guarantee of the provision of basic services and financing social services to help needy families.