UN WARNS OF GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

The United Nations (UN) has warned nations to be ready to grapple with a mental illness crisis as millions of people are literally surrounded by death, are isolated and suffer from poverty and extreme anxiety, Kate Kelland of Reuters reported on May 14, 2020.

“The isolation, the fear, the uncertainty, the economic turmoil - they all cause or could cause psychological distress,” said Devora Kestel, director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) mental health department, who argued that an upsurge in the number and severity of mental illnesses is likely, and governments should put the issue “front and centre” of their responses.

“The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by this crisis and are a priority to be addressed urgently,” she told reporters at a briefing.  The report highlighted several regions and sections of societies as vulnerable to mental distress - including children and young people isolated from friends and school, healthcare workers who are seeing thousands of patients infected with and dying from the COVID-19 virus.

Emerging studies and surveys are already showing COVID-19’s impact on mental health globally. Psychologists say children are anxious and increases in cases of depression and anxiety have been recorded in several countries while domestic violence is rising, and health workers are reporting an increased need for psychological support. #coronavirusimpact #COVID19