Mental health in the post-COVID-19 era: challenges and the way forward

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a serious threat to global mental health. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that there is a varying yet considerable increase in mental health issues among the general population and vulnerable groups.^{1 2} The aftermath is obscure and speculative from a social, economic, individual and public mental health perspective. Recently published studies support the existence of an emotional epidemic curve, describing a high probability of an increase in the burden of mental health issues in the postpandemic era.^{3 4} Furthermore, previous major public health emergencies showed that more than half of the population developed mental health problems and required mental health intervention.^{4 5} There is, therefore, an urgent need to reorganise existing mental health services to address the current unmet needs for mental health and to prepare for future challenges in the postpandemic era in terms of prevention and management.

The burden of mental health issues in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era

The current evidence and published literature related to previous epidemics suggest that mental health issues may arise after the peak of the pandemic, with increased prevalence among the vulnerable population and people with risk factors (box 1).⁴ The surge in mental health issues may remain untreated or undiagnosed due to interrupted mental health services and other challenges for mental health services in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

Box 1. Mental health issues, vulnerable population and risk factors.

1. Mental health issues: including grief reactions, substance use disorders, anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, suicides, post-traumatic stress disorders, panic disorders.^4,25,26

   • New-onset mental health issues: due to COVID-19-related stress, fear and loneliness; enduring neuropsychiatric symptoms or disorders (eg, acute ischaemic stroke, headache, dizziness, ataxia, delirium and seizures) of COVID-19 infection due to cytokine storms.²⁷

   • Relapse of pre-existing mental illness: due to reduced access to therapeutic resources, disruption of therapies, service provision and social support.^{4 10}

   • Suicides: due to neuropsychiatric manifestations and the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19.⁴

   • Other issues: COVID-19-related stigma, discrimination and hate crimes.^21,28

2. Vulnerable population: children and adolescents; elderly; unemployed and homeless persons; COVID-19 survivors; healthcare workers (HCWs); those with pre-existing psychiatric disorders; grass-roots workers; pregnant women; people with disabilities and chronic diseases; migrants; refugees; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community; racial and ethnic minorities.^7,21,29

3. Risk factors: the death of either parent, caregivers or loved ones, misinformation, loss of peer support because of closure of school or workplace, academic loss, medical comorbidities, uncertainties, stigma, prolonged isolation, social rejection, work stress, burn-out, being in direct contact with active cases and facing economic burdens.^4,25

Challenges for mental health services in post-COVID-19 pandemic era

The paucity of human resources, infrastructure and burn-out of mental health professionals (MHPs)

In many countries, MHPs have been redeployed for the provision of medical services in COVID-19 care centres.⁶ MHPs and physicians working in COVID-19 services are experiencing an increased level of mental health issues owing to work stress and the death of patients and loved ones.^{7 8} If the mental health of MHPs remains unaddressed, then these professionals may not be able to provide efficient mental health services in the postpandemic era. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where MHPs are scarce, this could further widen the treatment gap for mental disorders.^{9 10}

Assessing mental health issues

In the postpandemic era, it may be difficult to identify mental disorders aetiologically related to COVID-19 (eg, anxiety due to cytokine storm) owing to a lack of specific diagnostic or screening tools.¹¹ The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition or International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision/Eleventh Revision-based diagnostic interviews may under-report or over-report the underlying conditions.

The impact of misinformation (‘the infodemic’)

In some countries, particularly LMICs, waves of misinformation about COVID-19 are going to persist owing to multiple reasons (eg, religious and/or political beliefs). Surprisingly, most countries are not well prepared for managing this infodemic.³ The inability to access accurate information will strain the individual’s mental health and may lead to an increase in polarisation and the occurrence of hate crimes.¹²

Access to mental healthcare services

Lack of preparedness, overburdened mental health services, increased prevalence of mental health issues and interrupted mental health services will limit access to mental healthcare facilities in the postpandemic era, particularly in LMICs. Many psychiatric facilities and outpatient departments are currently converted to manage COVID-19.^{13 14} Therefore, people with mental illness may not seek help from these services owing to a fear of infection. Many pharmaceutical industries have changed their focus to the preparation of COVID-19-related drugs, vaccines and preventive kits (sanitisers), which may hamper the production of psychopharmacological drugs. Perceived job insecurity, financial problems and unemployment contribute to significant risks for psychiatric disorders and pose an important barrier in accessing mental healthcare.

Psychotherapy

The complex and ever-changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic will be a challenge for psychotherapeutic services owing to a lack of physical and social connection.¹⁵ In LMICs, the dearth of telepsychiatric services will limit accessibility to psychotherapy.¹⁰

Support systems

Adults, children, adolescents and families are affected by the loss of the structured support found in schools, childcare facilities or physical workplaces.⁴ Rebuilding this extrafamilial system will be challenging.

Public health paradox and injustice

A substantial body of evidence suggests that people with the highest level of mental health needs often have the least access to services.¹⁶ In a post-COVID-19 pandemic era, it will get exaggerated owing to economic recession, strain on resources and unemployment.

Recommendations for postpandemic mental health service preparedness

Because of the limited scientific understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health thus far, postpandemic preparedness is difficult. The pandemic is an unpredictable, irregular occurrence and its impact could be difficult to measure and explore. Considering this, we recommend using the components of the mental health preparedness and action framework (MHPAF) for postpandemic preparedness. MHPAF consists of five interlinked components, including preparation and coordination, monitoring and assessment, sustainability of mental healthcare services, infodemic management and communications.³ This framework has been used to evaluate pandemic preparedness in some countries like Kenya and the USA.¹⁷ However, postpandemic mental health preparedness could be more challenging in countries that are inadequately prepared for pandemics. In addition to preparing for the components of MHPAF, we suggest a few additional interventions for effective and efficient management of postpandemic psychiatric services.

Mental healthcare delivery

COVID-19 has affected mental healthcare delivery because of the redeployment of MHPs. We need to reconsider a few practical approaches or models of care for effective delivery in the postpandemic era.

Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry needs to be developed through a government-supported service platform centred on community health service centres to enable easier access to psychiatric care, especially among vulnerable populations (eg, the elderly). However, the digital divide, access to marginalised populations and poverty are major barriers to telepsychiatry services in LMICs. This could affect the feasibility and acceptability of telepsychiatry in many countries. Considering this challenge, it is imperative that healthcare workers reach out to patients and aim at equitable access of telepsychiatric facilities.

Infodemic management

More robust regulation of social media companies by non-partisan, non-corporate, global regulators is needed to clamp down on the spreading of fake news, anti-vaccine movement and polarising content. All countries should take stringent steps towards infodemic management by the formulation of guidelines for responsible media reporting. Additionally, infoveillance (information monitoring), building eHealth literacy and capacity, knowledge refinement and accurate and timely knowledge translation should be encouraged.¹⁸

Integrative care

National public health policies should be designed to provide integrated care for mental health in different settings such as hospitals, primary care services, communities, schools, universities, colleges and workplaces.¹⁹ Formalising liaison between these settings with mental health services would help to promptly identify and holistically address emerging mental health needs. Developing support groups, screening of at-risk groups, peer counselling services, establishing dedicated crisis helplines, preparation for long-term plans and expanding support services can facilitate early access to mental health needs.

Community mental health services

Community mental health services should be well prepared to screen, identify people at risk, provide psychological first aid and facilitate onward referral services.²⁰ Primary healthcare workers and organisational gatekeepers (eg, pharmacists, geriatric caregivers and school teachers) should be trained to identify individuals at risk and direct them to proper evaluation and treatment.

Human resources, education and training

Current redeployment of, and potential burn-out among, MHPs in the COVID-19 setting is affecting preparations for the delivery of mental health services for the postpandemic era. Policymakers and stakeholders should consider this as a priority. In many countries (like India), grass-roots medical staff (Accredited Social Health Activist-ASHA, teacher) are playing an important role in prescreening and triage, door-to-door visits, follow-up and on-site screening of COVID-19. Therefore, grass-roots workers should be trained in identifying and managing pandemic-associated psychiatric and psychosocial issues.

Formulate guidelines and protocols

Many people have been exposed to similar health risks, isolation, grief and economic uncertainty, individually and with their families. Therefore, certain common themes should be used to formulate guidelines to improve access to care.

Assessment and intervention

The use of a toolkit or stepped care or matched care model through primary care physicians can improve the coverage of mental health services in the postpandemic era by allowing them to manage common mental disorders of mild severity.²⁰

Suicide prevention

In anticipation of an increase in suicide rates, efforts should be made to reduce access to means (eg, more stringent gun control) and for better resourcing with suicide prevention agencies along with global decriminalisation of suicide/attempt(s). In addition, early screening for mental illness and treatment should be encouraged.

Research

Prospective cohort studies should be carried out to identify risk factors and exposure levels, track outcomes and compare outcomes among subgroups. These studies are important to monitor the effect of various interventions and strategies.

Stigma and discrimination

Interventions are needed to reduce stigmatisation and discrimination towards minority or vulnerable groups and to inform policy changes.^{21 22} General and specific interventions should be directed towards identification of drivers (eg, misinformation), facilitators (eg, lack of regulations) and intersecting factors (eg, occupation such as healthcare workers) towards reducing stigma and discrimination.²¹

Networks and services

A multinational network of MHPs in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) should be set up to enable the sharing of research and clinical practice paradigms in the post-COVID-19 era. This network should focus on building resilience both in the community and on an individual level.

Approach for addressing postpandemic mental health and services

Addressing emergent challenges with appropriate interventions could be challenging in many countries particularly in low-resource settings. Therefore, efforts should be taken for the prevention of mental health issues on a large scale and organisation of services for early identification of mental health issues. These approaches to mental healthcare prevention and treatment after the COVID-19 crisis can be classified as universal, selective or indicated.^{23 24}

Universal approach

This is a population-wide intervention that will help reduce the overall burden of mental health issues (stress, anxiety and fear) through prevention; therefore, it is imperative to have a universal approach for each country (box 2).

Box 2. Focus of universal approach in the postpandemic era.

• Promoting mental health wellness and reducing distress through adequate sleep, healthy diet and exercise, mindfulness‐based programmes (eg, yoga) and awareness about mental health issues.^30,31

• Using traditional and social media for mental health awareness campaigns and to encourage individuals to seek help with responsible, transparent and timely media reporting.³

• Establishing community support for those at risk and encouraging to stay connected and maintain relationships.

• Establishing primary screening services for common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

• Establishing the national suicide prevention helplines or other helplines.³²

• Integrating basic mental health services into primary care for early identification of COVID-19-related mental health issues.

• Developing self-help resources and promoting healthy coping strategies.

• Ensuring financial support for people through governmental and non-governmental organisations (eg, loans and credit).

Selective approach

It should be used for an individual having the risk factors for developing mental health issues. For example, a vulnerable population and individuals with risk factors mentioned above. A screening toolkit or guidelines should be developed to identify these groups of people.²⁰

Indicated approach

It should be designed for individuals having signs and symptoms of the mental issues as mentioned above. This approach ought to be guided by well-defined guidelines before the intervention. Some people with mental health issues might not seek help because of fear of COVID-19 infection, stigma and poor motivation. It is therefore important to identify these individuals through a network of hospitals and community health workers.

Active outreach

It can be helpful for people with a history of psychiatric disorders, COVID-19 survivors and older adults.

Conclusion

To conclude, there is an immediate need to identify the long-term mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians, researchers and policymakers are expected to be prepared for these mental health issues in terms of assessment, interventions and the model of care in the postpandemic era.

Biography

Dr. Ramyadarshni Vadivel obtained her MBBS degree from the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India, in 2008. Now, she is an advanced trainee in mental health and addictions of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). She is also working as a senior registrar in the addictions services of Waikato District Health Board (DHB) in Hamilton, New Zealand. She has been working in Waikato DHB since December 2017 and training in RANZCP since June 2016. She is a member of the Early Career Psychiatrist (ECP) Section of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and Network of Early Career Professionals working in the area of Addiction Medicine (NECPAM). In addition, she is a recipient of the World Congress of Social Psychiatry Young Fellow (WCSPYF) (2013), Japan Young Psychiatrists Organisation (JYPO) Fellowship (2013), and WPA ECP fellowship (2018), among other academic awards. Her main research interests include neurostimulation in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, with a special interest in addictions, smartphones and the use of technology in psychiatry and psychiatry in special populations (migration and refugees). She is currently a member of the worldwide network of ECP researchers working on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different areas of mental health and addictions.