Mental ill-health during COVID-19 confinement

Abstract

Background Confinement due to COVID-19 has increased mental ill-health. Few studies unpack the risk and protective factors associated with mental ill-health and addictions that might inform future preparedness. Methods Cross-sectional on-line survey with 37,810 Catalan residents aged 16+ years from 21 April to 20 May 2020 reporting prevalence of mental ill-health and substance use and associated coping strategies and behaviours. Results Weighted prevalence of reported depression, anxiety and lack of mental well-being was, respectively, 23, 26, and 75%, each three-fold higher than before confinement. The use of prescribed hypnosedatives was two-fold and of non-prescribed hypnosedatives ten-fold higher than in 2018. Women, younger adults and students were considerably more likely, and older and retired people considerably less likely to report mental ill-health. High levels of social support, dedicating time to oneself, following a routine, and undertaking relaxing activities were associated with half the likelihood of reported mental ill-health. Worrying about problems living at home, the uncertainty of when normality would return, and job loss were associated with more than one and a half times the likelihood of mental ill-health. With the possible exception of moderately severe and severe depression, length of confinement had no association with reported mental ill-health. Conclusions The trebling of psychiatric symptomatology might lead to either to under-identification of cases and treatment gap, or a saturation of mental health services if these are not matched with prevalence increases. Special attention is needed for the younger adult population. In the presence of potential new confinement, improved mental health literacy of evidence-based coping strategies and resilience building are urgently needed to mitigate mental ill-health.

COVID-19 Lockdown and Consumption Patterns among Substance Use Disorder Outpatients: A Multicentre Study

“…This exceptional situation has been related to an increase in anxiety and depression in the general public [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], as well as in more vulnerable communities, such as patients with previous mental disorders [ 10 , 11 ]. Patients with substance use disorders (SUD) often face other psychiatric pathologies at the same time, which has important connotations for the aetiology, evolution, and treatment of both disorders [ 12 ].…”

Can physical activity foster mental health by preventing addictive social media use? – A longitudinal investigation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

“…The COVID-19 outbreak is “associated with some of the greatest social, economic, and medical challenges of the 21st century” ( Gruber et al, 2021 , p. 411). The uncertainty regarding its end, its multidimensionality that impacts almost every area of life and the reduced face-to-face interaction are a burden that contributed to a significant increase of mental health problems ( Jané-Llopis et al, 2021 ; Newby et al, 2020 ; Pierce et al, 2020 ). The enhanced prevalence of mental health disorders and the expected long-term mental health implications ( Kathirvel, 2020 ), point out the urgent need for new paradigms for mental health services in terms of prevention and intervention ( Gruber et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Previously it was shown that particularly young adults are at enhanced risk for engaging in intensive SMU when experiencing high levels of daily stress and missing social support in the offline world ( Brailovskaia, Rohmann, Bierhoff, Schillack, & Margraf, 2019 ). Moreover, women, younger adults, and students were more likely to report NMH during the pandemic ( Jané-Llopis et al, 2021 ). Therefore, age and gender were controlled for in the analyses.…”

“…The current situation is associated with extensive social, economic, and medical challenges ( Gruber et al, 2021 ). Going along with this, a substantial increase of mental health problems was noted ( Jané-Llopis et al, 2021 ; Newby et al, 2020 ; Pierce et al, 2020 ). Recent meta-analyses documented the detrimental effects on mental health in countries from all over the world.…”

Healthy cities after COVID-19 pandemic: the just ecofeminist healthy cities approach

“… 14 For example, during confinements in particular, urban residents—especially those having to live in cramped housing conditions—struggled to maintain their psychological health, a challenge made more obvious since most activities from different spheres of daily life were taking place at home. 15 In contrast, higher-income residents were able to spend confinement time in high quality housing with access to public and/or private quality public green spaces (such as parks, riversides or urban gardens) or to escape to their second homes (often located in the countryside or on the coast). 8 16 Even in areas without strict confinement policies, factors such as school cancellations, loss of employment, increased care responsibilities, public campaigns to ‘stay home’, and even work from home policies have kept many people closer to home.…”