February 20, 2020

Online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 outbreak

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Mental Health and Personal Impact

• Health care providers and the National Health Commission of China have noted increased stress among providers and the public due to COVID-19.  
• Early in the outbreak, China began publishing guidelines for crisis interventions. In contrast to the SARS outbreak, current resources include smartphones and online interventions such as chat groups. 
• A Feb 2020 survey reveals significant levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.  In response, people have been offered online counseling by professional mental health providers, and online self-help using Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. Artificial Intelligence programs are also able to recognize and identify suicidal risks. These strategies may improve the efficacy of emergency response efforts going forward.

Liu et al. (Feb 18, 2020). Online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30077-8