Mental health service demand during the Summer Olympics: literature review

Abstract

Aims and methodEstimates of the impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games on general health service demand have been made. However, there are no formal estimates for mental health demand. Our aim was to conduct a review to identify data on mental health service demand during the previous ten Summer Olympics.ResultsEight relevant papers were identified. Little has been published on mental health demand; however, available data suggest demand will not substantially increase.Clinical implicationsNHS London has no pan-London strategy for mental health services during the Olympics. This may not be unreasonable given the lack of evidence for increased demand during previous Olympics. However, high bed occupancy rates in mental health units in London and other strains on resources may amplify the impact of even small increases in demand on services.

Mental health services at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The polyclinic provided services including internal medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, urology, ophthalmology, dentistry, female athlete clinic, physical therapy, 24-hour emergency services as well as mental health services, for which five qualified psychiatrists were assigned. Studies on previous Olympic Games have reported a small number of mental health consultations with minor psychiatric manifestations in the Olympic polyclinic [2, 3]. However, we presume that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unusual mental health issues would have been experienced during the 2020 Games.…”

Mental health services planning for G20 summit in Brisbane and assessment of impact

“…Secondly, the Summit might trigger an increase in psychotic symptoms in some individuals with delusional disorders and schizophrenia, leading to possible presentations to mental health facilities. Thirdly, the Summit would attract national and international visitors into Brisbane, some of whom would be individuals with mental health problems who might be drawn to such events, 5 and might require mental health care.…”

“…Review of the Olympic Games (Beijing, Athens, Sydney, Atlanta and Los Angeles) failed to find major changes in mental health presentations, but, more commonly, reference to mental health presentations was absent in these general health service reports. 5 Thus, our aim was to describe the response made by Brisbane Mental Health Services to the 2014 G20 Summit, and report demand on mental health services.…”