Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and psychosocial support services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region – results of a rapid assessment

Abstract

Background: Mental health has been identified by the World Health Organization as an integral component of the COVID-19 response. Aims: This study aimed to estimate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental, neurological and substance use disorders (MNS) services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Methods: The assessment was conducted through a web-based survey that was completed by national mental health focal points and was analysed between June and August 2020. Results: School and workplace mental health services were wholly or partially disrupted in more than 70% of reporting countries. Fewer than 20% of the countries in the Region reported mental health services for children and adolescents or for older adults being fully operational. The main reasons were travel restrictions, decreases in inpatient volumes due to the cancellation of elective care, decreases in outpatient volumes due to patients not presenting and health authority directives for the closure of outpatient services. The majority (85%) of countries responded by establishing MNS helplines using telemedicine/teletherapy and digital psychological interventions. The fragile and conflict-affected states relied mostly on implementing infection prevention and control measures at MNS service facilities. Gaps were identified in the areas of addictive behaviours, substance use and neurology research related to the pandemic. Conclusion: The assessment highlights the need to strengthen capacities for monitoring changes in service delivery and utilization, and documents evidence on what works in different settings during the different phases of the pandemic to facilitate informed decisions related to the nature and timing of adaptations to service delivery.

Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the COVID-19 Response in Africa: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…Similar results were reported by the WHO AFRO where only 25% of the respondent countries had ensured that full additional funding is available for MHPSS activities [ 10 ]. The lack of funding for MHPSS activities was also prominent in other WHO regions during the COVID-19 response [ 11 ]. Underinvestment in mental health is a chronic issue that goes beyond emergencies, and it includes both government and donor funding.…”

Approaches to enabling rapid evaluation of innovations in health and social care: a scoping review of evidence from high-income countries

“…165-167 195 196 Increased use of online recruitment and data collection was identified following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. [145][146][147][148][149][150] Developments in RCT design were also seen over this period. 173 174 176-179 At later stages of the evaluation process we identified continuous or contemporaneous data collection or data analyses as a means to increase rapidity of evaluation in RCTs and other quantitative study designs.…”

“…Joseph and Goddard, Demeulemeester et al, Banga et al 140-142 Using an online survey Survey hosted on webpage and/or social media sites. Attal et al, Daviskiba et al, Elsawy et al, Hammond et al; Khubchandani et al, Talati et al, Petrella et al[145][146][147][148][149][150]…”