GENEVA: The coronavirus outbreak risks sparking a major global mental health crisis, the United Nations warned Thursday, calling for urgent action to address the psychological suffering brought on by the pandemic.
“Even when the pandemic is brought under control, grief, anxiety and depression will continue to affect people and communities,” he said. Healthcare workers and first responders – operating under “tremendous stress” – are particularly vulnerable, Kestel said, pointing to news reports indicating rises in suicides among medical workers.Children being kept out of school, for instance, face uncertainty and anxiety.
And people with pre-existing psychological issues could see them exacerbated, while accessing their usual treatment and face-to-face therapy may no longer be possible. Other studies indicated that mental distress prevalence amid the crisis was as high as 60% in Iran and 45% in the US, Kestel said.