Key Mental Health Challenges: The Role of Health Policy After COVID-19

Authors

  • Juraszek Paweł Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska, Poland
  • Król Karolina Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska, Poland
  • Grajek Mateusz Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska, Poland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12974/2313-1047.2024.11.08

Keywords:

Mental health, COVID-19, Post-pandemic, Health policy, Prevention strategies

Abstract

Background; The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted global mental health, revealing vulnerabilities in healthcare systems and exacerbating issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Vulnerable groups, including healthcare workers, young adults, and children, faced heightened risks due to social isolation, economic uncertainty, and disruptions to daily life. These challenges emphasized the critical need for targeted interventions and systemic improvements in mental health care.

Objective; This review aims to analyze the key mental health challenges emerging post-pandemic, evaluate the roles of government policies and community interventions, and propose evidence-based strategies for prevention and rehabilitation. Additionally, it highlights innovative solutions to address service gaps and promote resilience.

Methodology; A narrative review methodology was employed, synthesizing data from peer-reviewed journals, organizational reports (e.g., WHO, OECD, UNICEF), and national datasets from 2019–2023. Key themes—mental health challenges, government roles, prevention strategies, and innovative interventions—were explored through qualitative and quantitative analyses. Selection criteria focused on mental health conditions exacerbated by the pandemic and policy responses at local and national levels.

Conclusions; The pandemic underscored the importance of mental health as a public health priority. Effective interventions include integrating mental health into broader health policies, increasing funding, and promoting public awareness. Prevention strategies focusing on early detection, lifestyle interventions, and community support proved vital, while rehabilitation efforts such as family involvement, peer networks, and technological tools facilitated recovery. A multisectoral, evidence-based approach is essential to build resilient mental health systems capable of addressing future challenges.

References

Bellack AS, Mueser KT, Gingerich S, & Agresta J. (2013). Social skills training for schizophrenia: A step-by-step guide. Behavior Therapy, 44(3), 317-328.

Chien WT, Bressington D, & Yip ALK. (2015). Family-based psychoeducation for people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 22(6), 463-475.

Corrigan PW, Druss BG, & Perlick DA. (2014). The impact of mental illness stigma on seeking and participating in mental health care. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 15(2), 37-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100614531398

COVID-19 Mental Disorders Collaborators. (2021). Global prevalence and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet, 398(10312), 1700-1712.

Drake RE, & Bond GR. (2016). Supported employment: Advances and future directions. Psychiatric Services, 67(1), 15-21.

European Mental Health Network. (2021). Mobile mental health teams in the COVID-19 era: Lessons learned. Retrieved from https://www.euromentalhealth.org

Firth J, Torous J, Nicholas J, Carney R, Pratap A, Rosenbaum S, & Sarris J. (2017). The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms. World Psychiatry, 16(3), 287-298. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20472

Fitzpatrick KK, Darcy A, & Vierhile M. (2017). Delivering cognitive behavior therapy to young adults with symptoms of depression and anxiety using a fully automated conversational agent (Woebot): A randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mental Health, 4(2), e19. https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.7785

Guzman-Holst A, & Lallukka T. (2021). Integrating mental health into public health strategies: Insights from Finland. European Journal of Public Health, 31(6), 1101-1110.

Jacka FN, O'Neil A, Opie R, et al. (2017). A review of the mental health impact of dietary factors. Nutrition Neuroscience, 20(3), 145-157.

Lai J, Ma S, Wang Y. et al. (2020). Factors Associated With Mental Health Outcomes Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019. JAMA Network Open, 3(3), e203976. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3976

Mazur J, Malinowska-Cieślik M, Nowakowski A. et al. (2021). COV-CAT-PL: Wpływ pandemii na zdrowie psychiczne dzieci w Polsce. Warszawa: Instytut Matki i Dziecka.

Ministry of Health New Zealand. (2021). Getting Through Together: Resilience and mental health promotion in the pandemic. Wellington: Ministry of Health.

NFZ. (2021). Raport: Zdrowie psychiczne Polaków w czasie pandemii COVID-19. Warszawa: Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia.

OECD. (2022). Health at a Glance: Europe 2022. Paris: OECD Publishing.

Patel V, Saxena S, Frankish H, & Boyce N. (2018). Sustainable development and global mental health-a Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553-1598. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31612-X

Repper J, & Carter T. (2011). A review of the literature on peer support in mental health services. Journal of Mental Health, 20(4), 392-411. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2011.583947

Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Firth J, et al. (2018). Physical activity and incident depression: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(7), 631-648. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17111194

Siu AL, Bibbins-Domingo K, Grossman DC, et al. (2016). Screening for depression in adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, 315(4), 380-387. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.18392

UNICEF. (2021). The State of the World's Children 2021: On My Mind - Promoting, protecting and caring for children's mental health. Nowy Jork: UNICEF.

WHO. (2021). Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013-2030. Geneva: World Health Organization.

WHO. (2021). Mental health policies and strategies in the COVID-19 context. Geneva: World Health Organization.

WHO. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 on mental health cannot be made light of. Genewa: Światowa Organizacja Zdrowia.

Downloads

Published

2024-11-29

How to Cite

Paweł, J. ., Karolina, K. ., & Mateusz, G. (2024). Key Mental Health Challenges: The Role of Health Policy After COVID-19. Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy Research, 11, 67–74. https://doi.org/10.12974/2313-1047.2024.11.08

Issue

Section

Articles