How COVID-19 Increases Risk Of Mental Illness

JAKARTA - The number of mental illness crises is soaring as millions of people around the world are surrounded by death, disease, forced isolation, poverty and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was explained by mental health experts from the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Isolation, fear, uncertainty, economic chaos are all causing psychological distress," said Devora Kestel, director of the WHO's Department of Mental Health.

The UN report as well as policy guidelines on COVID-19 and mental health, Kestel said, said an increase in the number and severity of mental illness was possible. Therefore, the government must see mental illness as an important problem to face.

"The mental health and well-being of the whole community is severely affected by this crisis and is a priority that must be addressed immediately," Kestel told a conference.

The report highlights several areas and sections of society that are vulnerable to mental stress. The groups particularly vulnerable to mental distress are children and adolescents isolated from friends and school, as well as health care workers who have seen thousands of patients infected and die from COVID-19.

Emerging studies and surveys are already showing the impact of COVID-19 on mental health globally. Psychologists say children are anxious and that increasing cases of depression and anxiety have been recorded in several countries.

In addition, the rate of domestic violence has increased. Health workers report a great need for psychological support. Outside of the health sector, the WHO report said many people were distressed by the immediate health impacts and consequences of isolation.

Many people experience anxiety due to fear of contracting, dying, and losing family members due to the new corona virus. Millions of people are also facing economic turmoil, losing or at risk of losing their income and livelihoods, he added.

The massive amount of misinformation and rumors about the pandemic, as well as the uncertainty about how long this pandemic will last, make people feel anxious and hopeless about the future. Hope is becoming more and more uncertain.

However, this has actually encouraged policy makers in various countries to reduce the great suffering of hundreds of millions of people. Most of them take policies in the form of reducing long-term social and economic costs to society.

It is hoped that policymakers can do a number of things to reduce the surge in mental illness by correcting the shortage of funds in psychological services. In addition, policymakers are encouraged to provide emergency mental health services via remote therapy. For example, telecunseling for health workers.

Policymakers must also work proactively with people who are known to have depression and anxiety. Connections must continue to be built. Relationships with those who are at high risk of committing domestic violence due to acute poverty must be maintained.