Rising Tide: Responding to the Mental Health Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sheila Rauch, Emory University; Naomi M. Simon, New York University; Barbara O Rothbaum, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-05-18
• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/da.23058
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
• Keywords: health system; intervention; pandemic; Mental Health Response; community; patient care; Phased Approach to COVID-19; mental health issues
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic is an invisible threat unprecedented in its global reach and extended, uncertain nature. No individual or community is left without impact, whether it is infection risks, COVID-19 illness, loss of a loved one, disrupted employment, or financial strains. Much of the world has experienced an extended and uncertain time period of quarantine and/or social distancing restrictions that substantially interfere with usual work and social routines, cultural and religious customs, work and leisure activities, and the availability of services. For healthcare and other frontline workers, there is ongoing risk of morbidity and mortality for themselves and their families as a result of their service. Although this specific pandemic is larger than previous pandemics and has resulted in more deaths than the Attacks on September 11, 2002 (Center for Disease Control, 2020), there is much that the mental health field knows from military, disaster settings, and other types of trauma exposures that can help guide how we support our health professionals working in this extremely stressful environment (VA/DOD, 2017). Investments in efforts to support mental health and provide indicated prevention and intervention may decrease long-term risk for negative mental health outcomes, including for healthcare workers and other staff on the front lines of the pandemic.