Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes
to global social, economic and healthcare dynamics, creating numerous
challenges for population mental health. This article reviews recent studies on
the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of mental disorders such as
depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse.
In addition to discussing the determining factors and the most vulnerable
groups, we address the intervention strategies implemented during the pandemic
period. The results suggest a significant increase in mental disorder rates,
highlighting the need for effective public policies for prevention and
treatment in the post-pandemic era.
Keywords: Anxiety; COVID-19; Depression; Pandemic; Mental disorders
Introduction
The COVID-19
pandemic, declared in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO),
triggered an unprecedented global public health crisis. Beyond high morbidity
and mortality rates, social isolation, economic instability and uncertainty
about the future directly impacted people’s mental well-being worldwide1. Emerging studies indicate that psychological
conditions significantly deteriorated during the pandemic, with increases in
cases of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)2,3. Social isolation,
imposed as a measure to control the spread of the virus, was one of the main
factors contributing to the worsening of global mental health. Disconnection
from family and friends, the closure of social spaces and the limitation of
routine activities created an environment conducive to increased loneliness and
distress. Additionally, the emotional burden on frontline healthcare
professionals, the fear of infection and the loss of loved ones further exacerbated
the situation4.
Another relevant aspect is the evidence that the pandemic’s impact was disproportionate among different groups, more severely affecting those in vulnerable situations, such as frontline workers, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations5. Furthermore, children, adolescents and the elderly faced specific challenges that exacerbated psychological issues. Even before the pandemic, mental health was an underestimated public health issue in many countries. WHO estimates indicated that approximately 264 million people suffered from depression in 2019, a number that has significantly increased since then6. The situation was further worsened by the collapse of healthcare systems, which were often unprepared to handle the growing demand for psychological support7,8. In this context, it is essential to understand the factors that contributed to the worsening of mental disorders during health crises.
Objectives
This article aims
to analyze the relationship between the pandemic and the increase in the
prevalence of mental disorders, as well as identify the most affected
population groups and the associated risk factors.
Materials and
Methods
A bibliographic
review of articles published in the PUBMED, ScienceDirect, Scielo and PsycINFO
databases was conducted to support this study.
Discussion
The COVID-19
pandemic represented an unprecedented collective stressor with global impacts
on mental health. Reviewed studies indicate that the prevalence of mental
disorders, such as anxiety and depression, doubled compared to pre-pandemic
periods9. This increase was
attributed to various factors, including social isolation, financial
uncertainty and emotional overload. Additionally, traumatic events such as
family losses and hospitalizations intensified PTSD symptoms in many
populations. Healthcare workers were particularly affected, facing high levels
of burnout and anxiety. Similarly, already vulnerable populations, including
racial minorities and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions,
experienced a disproportionate impact10.
Children and adolescents, deprived of social interaction and in-person
education, exhibited concerning increases in behavioral and mental health
issues11.
Emerging interventions, such as the use of technology to provide remote psychological support, demonstrated partial effectiveness. However, access barriers to technology and digital inequalities limited their impact12. Community support programs and psychoeducation strategies also showed potential but remain underutilized in resource-limited regions13. Mental health systems were tested in their capacity to respond to increasing demands. While some regions managed to expand services, most faced significant challenges, such as a shortage of trained professionals and inadequate funding14,15. This situation highlighted the urgent need for structural reforms to make systems more resilient to future crises.
Conclusion
The COVID-19
pandemic had a profound impact on the prevalence of mental disorders,
significantly increasing rates of depression, anxiety and other psychological
conditions. Factors such as social isolation, work overload and socioeconomic
inequalities were crucial to this rise. The most vulnerable populations,
including women, children, the elderly and low-income individuals, were
disproportionately affected. Intervention strategies based on digital
technologies proved to be useful tools but were insufficient to meet the total
demand. Therefore, expanding access to mental health services should be a
priority, alongside public policies aimed at reducing structural inequalities.
In the post-pandemic period, it is essential to continue monitoring mental
health conditions and investing in the prevention and treatment of
psychological disorders. Additionally, integrating mental health services into
public healthcare systems and strengthening digital inclusion are urgent
measures to mitigate future impacts.
References
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RK, Smith LE, et al. The psychological impact of quarantine. Rapid Review 2020.
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The emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 2020.
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Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet Psychiatry 2020.
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