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COVID 19

COVID 19

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COVID-19 and Mental Health

Since its emergence in 2019, COVID-19 has spread immensely worldwide making it a

global pandemic. To date the various has affected millions of individuals and claimed thousands

of lives (Panchal, Kamal and Orgera). In response, various factors have been elucidated to try

and combat the spread and protect the less vulnerable. Among these risk factors is mental health.

Those with underlying mental health conditions are susceptible to the virus and depict a worse

off prognosis when diagnosed with the illness in comparison to the general population (Schafer,

Sopp and Schanz). Why? Nonetheless, the virus is also a contributor of mental health issues in

itself and this area has elicited intense research. Therefore, it is no secret that the pandemic

negatively affects a considerable amount of the world’s population mental health and doubles up

as a barrier to recovery to those with underlying mental conditions.

COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH RISK FACTORS

A study conducted in mid-July showed that in the United States, 53% of adults reported a

negative impact on their mental health as a result of worry and stress caused by the pandemic

(Panchal, Kamal and Orgera). It was also reported that cases of eating disorders, disrupted sleep

patterns, exacerbated chronic conditions, and drug and substance abuse were on the rise due to

the virus. The virus is also linked to depression and suicides which have tripled over the course

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of the pandemic with about 10.7% of the American population reporting rising cases of suicidal

thoughts (CDC). The virus has also been associated with anxiety symptoms with an average of at

least one in every three adults in the U.S. depicting these symptoms (Semo and Frissa). Besides,

the virus has also been linked to the rise in drug and substance abuse which often has serious

ramifications on the mental health stature of the affected individuals. Questions have been raised

as to how the Virus contributes to these significant mental health issues and this has elicited

studies to investigate the dynamics and paradigms of how the virus leads to the dire harm on

mental health.

CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS

Social Isolation. As a response to the virus, social isolation has been encouraged with most

countries going into lockdowns and some imposing curfews to combat the spread of the virus.

Despite the success in controlling the spread of the virus, social isolation and loneliness has been

directly linked to poor mental health (Lee, Yang and Moon). Studies report that quarantine

during such outbreaks negatively impacts mental health outcomes (Lee, Yang and Moon;

Schafer, Sopp and Schanz; Semo and Frissa). More often than not, isolation is associated with

suicidal ideation which is a risk factor for the spike in suicide cases.

Studies across the United States showed that 47% of those sheltering in place depicted

more pronounced mental health symptoms of stress and worry compared to 37% of similar cases

for those not sheltering in place (CDC; Schafer, Sopp and Schanz). 21% of those sheltering in

place admitted to serious mental health conditions while 13% of those not sheltering in place

reported similar conditions (Panchal, Kamal and Orgera).

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SURNAME 1 Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Date COVID-19 and Mental Health Since its emergence in 2019, COVID-19 has spread immensely worldwide making it a global pandemic. To date the various has affected millions of individuals and claimed thousands of lives (Panchal, Kamal and Orgera). In response, various factors have been elucidated to try and combat the spread and protect the less vulnerable. Among these risk factors is mental health. Those with underlying mental health conditions are susceptible to the virus and depict a worse off prognosis when diagnosed with the illness in comparison to the general population (Schafer, Sopp and Schanz). Why? Nonetheless, the virus is also a contributor of mental health issues in itself and this area has elicited intense research. Therefore, it is no secret that the pandemic negatively affects a considerable amount of the world’s population mental health and doubles up as a barrier to recovery to those with underlying mental conditions. COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH RISK FACTORS A study conducted in mid-July showed that in the United States, 53% of adults reported a negative impact on their mental health as a result of worry and stress caused by the pandemic (Panchal, Kamal and Orgera). It was also reported that cases of eating disorders, disrupted sleep patterns, exacerbated chronic conditions, and drug and substance abuse were on the rise due to the virus. The virus is also linked to depression and suicides which have tripled o ...
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