COVID-19 Doubles Risk for New Psychiatric Illness
Research on over 62000 patients highlights a looming mental health crisis. Coronavirus increases psychiatric illness, and prior psychiatric illness may increase infection rates.
As the death toll from Covid-19 continues to rise, and the number of cases skyrockets in the U.S. and around the world, the sheer weight of concrete suffering, the strain on healthcare systems and the economy, and the disorganized response from government and community threatens to eclipse awareness of important mental health implications.
Mental Health Advocacy
The likelihood of long-range problems increases exponentially with every passing moment that mental health issues remain only partially addressed. As of the writing of this article, President-Elect Joe Biden’s Covid-19 Advisory Board has yet to appoint a member with a background in psychiatry and mental health, a worrisome situation.
Healthcare workers are thought to be at particular risk for mental health problems after Covid, including but not limited to PTSD. The effect on the general population cannot be overstated.
