Supporting the vulnerable: developing a strategic community mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant risks to the vulnerable patient population supported by community mental health (CMH) teams in South Australia. This paper describes a plan developed to understand and mitigate these risks. Methods: Public health and psychiatric literature was reviewed and clinicians in CMH teams and infectious disease were consulted. Key risks posed by COVID-19 to CMH patients were identified and mitigation plans were prepared. Results: A public health response plan for CMH teams was developed to support vulnerable individuals and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will be reviewed regularly to respond to changes in public health recommendations, research findings and feedback from patients and clinicians. Conclusions: The strategic response plan developed to address risks to vulnerable patients from COVID-19 can assist other CMH services in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social Inequality and Solidarity in Times of COVID-19

“…It also requires training of mental health professionals to deliver treatment virtually, the development of consensus guidelines, the implementation of legal and ethical frameworks, and effective quality monitoring [ 52 , 53 ]. In addition, social distancing measures may have augmented negative consequences for those with pre-existing mental health conditions [ 50 , 55 , 56 ], which occur disproportionately among people with lower socioeconomic status. Pre-existing mental health conditions may exacerbate the negative effects and psychological distress experienced due to the pandemic and the social distancing measures, which cause large disruptions in daily activities and opportunities to receive support.…”

Further Adaptations and Reflections by an Assertive Community Treatment Team to Serve Clients with Severe Mental Illness During COVID-19

“…Having schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis was found to be the second most potent risk factor, with age being the greatest risk factor (Nemani et al, 2021 ). The SMI population may be more at risk for acquiring infection due to various potential reasons such as not being able to fully understand the health risks and recommendations (e.g., due to decreasing cognitive ability and/or cognitive impairment), limited awareness of self‐care and hygiene measures, using medication continuously, and difficulties with screening and/or stay-at-home orders (Bowman et al, 2021 ; Shinn & Viron, 2020 ; Sukut & Ayhan Balik, 2020 ; Thomson et al, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ).…”

Needs, gaps and opportunities for standard and e-mental health care among at-risk populations in the Asia Pacific in the context of COVID-19: a rapid scoping review

“…gambling [61], gaming disorder [63], chronic insomnia [66], intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) including autism [71], and suicide risk [75,76,77,79], in addition to general considerations for mental health responses to COVID-19 [81,82,83,83,84,89,102,103]. A majority of papers describe considerations for general adult populations, while some focus on children and youth [105,113,121,123,128] and older adults [144,150].…”

“…Patients with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders may experience increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and related complications due to physical comorbidities, smoking, low socioeconomic status, poor housing conditions [81]. The impact of social isolation and other added stressors of the pandemic are also raised, including the potential contribution to worsening symptoms [6,45,46,79,81,105,123], other unhealthy behaviours [83] and suicidality [46,60]. Stigma towards people with COVID-19 and MNS disorders might lead to 'double stigma', lowering help-seeking for both physical and mental health conditions and worsening mental health [45,60,77].…”