Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. What initially started as time-limited stay-at-home orders eventually progressed to increasingly stringent safety recommendations for personal protective equipment, isolation precautions, social distancing, and ultimately vaccination. Beyond the health and mental health impact of the virus itself, the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 have had major repercussions on mental health and mental health care delivery.
The selected articles characterize the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the innovation and resilience of health care systems and providers. In a field that thrives on human connection, psychiatric services providers have been tasked with overcoming the impact of social isolation and added strain on vulnerable psychiatric patient populations. This collection explores the adaptation of mental health systems, the mental health effects of the pandemic on at-risk populations, and the unique challenges of frontline providers who continue to meet the demands imposed by COVID-19. The goal of this collection is to acknowledge the new obstacles to mental health access as a result of COVID-19, inspire innovative solutions, and acknowledge the fortitude of patients and providers during this trying time in global history.
Mental health systems
Mental Health Policy in the Era of COVID-19
Goldman ML, Druss BG, Horvitz-Lennon M, et al.
Psychiatr Serv 2020; 71:1158–1162
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000219
The Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Care Mental Health Services
Abbas MJ, Kronenberg G, McBride M, et al.
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:242–246
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000467
Redesigning Public Mental Health Systems Post–COVID-19
Smith TE, Sullivan A-MT, Druss BG
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:606–605
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000400
Psychiatry and Crisis Communication During COVID-19: A View From the Trenches
Koh KA, Raviola G, Stoddard FJ, Jr.
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:615
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000912
Role of Psychiatric Hospitals in the Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines
Brown JD, Bell N
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:1080–1083
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000808
Patients and access
Mental Health and Psychosocial Characteristics Associated With COVID-19 Among U.S. Adults
Tsai J, Huang M, Elbogen E
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:444–447
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000540
Addressing the Consequences of the COVID-19 Lockdown for Children’s Mental Health: Investing in School Mental Health Programs
Hamoda HM, Chiumento A, Alonge O, et al.
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:729–731
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000597
Access to Care for Veterans With Serious Mental Illness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Raja PV, Gabrielian S, Doran N
Online in Advance, May 25, 2021
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000898
Mental Health Services in a U.S. Prison During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Burton PRS, Morris NP, Hirschtritt ME
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:458–460
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000476
Social Determinants of Mental Health As Mediators and Moderators of the Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Bernardini F, Attademo L, Rotter M, et al.
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:598–601
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000393
Experiences of Persons With Serious Mental Illness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dickerson F, Katsafanas E, Newman T, et al.
Online in Advance, June 30, 2021
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100130
Providers and resilience
Health Care Workers’ Mental Health and Quality of Life During COVID-19: Results From a Mid-Pandemic, National Survey
Young KP, Kolcz DL, O’Sullivan DM, et al.
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:122–128
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000424
Supporting the Mental Health Workforce During and After COVID-19
Druss BG, Cohen AN, Brister T, et al.
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:1222–1224
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000509
Mental Health Care Providers’ Attitudes Toward Telepsychiatry: A Systemwide, Multisite Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Guinart D, Marcy P, Hauser M, et al.
Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:704–707
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000441
Telehealth Adoption by Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cantor J, McBain RK, Kofner A, et al.
Online in Advance, Aug 19, 2021
