The COVID-19 pandemic is having a “devastating impact” on mental health services globally, the World Health Organization said Monday, ahead of a large fundraising push.
It warned that mental health had been overlooked in the crisis, pointing to a survey conducted between June and August that revealed severe disruptions to services in 93 countries.
The survey of 130 countries provides the first global data showing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health services and underscores the urgent need for increased funding.
“This is a forgotten aspect of COVID-19,” WHO mental health director Devora Kestel told a virtual media briefing, stressing the urgent need for increased funding.
Before the pandemic, countries were spending less than two percent of their national health budget on mental health, and were struggling to meet demand, the WHO said.
That demand has now dramatically increased due to the pandemic.
“Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones,” the agency said in a statement.
“Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety.”
The WHO also said more data was needed on COVID-19’s effect on brain health, with fewer than one in 10 countries conducting research.
The WHO said that estimates before the coronavirus pandemic showed that nearly $1.0 trillion in economic productivity was lost annually from depression and anxiety alone.
However, studies showed that every dollar spent on evidence-based care for depression and anxiety returned $5.00.
On Saturday, the WHO is hosting on social media “The Big Event for Mental Health”, calling for increased investment.
