Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

April 2, 2020

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and implications for clinical practice.

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Topic:

  • The authors discuss the expected increase in need for psychiatric help due to widespread stress and mental trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures, especially among those infected, health care workers, and other high-risk groups.
  • In order to reduce risk of developing mental health problems, the authors suggest: (1) limiting sources of stress, and relying on limited and official information sources only, (2) increasing communication with friends and loved ones, even if at a distance, (3) maintaining a regular daily routine, (4) focusing on the long-term benefits of current isolation measures and (5) seeking professional psychiatric help as needed.

Fiorillo and Gorwood. (2020). The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and implications for clinical practice. European Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.35