Patients with mental health disorders in the COVID-19 epidemic

Patients with mental health disorders in the COVID-19 epidemic

April 2020 | Hao Yao, Jian-Hua Chen, Yi-Feng Xu
Since January 2020, Elsevier has established a free COVID-19 resource center with information in English and Mandarin, hosted on Elsevier Connect. The center grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other public repositories. The article highlights the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on individuals with mental health disorders. Over 60,000 cases have been confirmed globally, with most in China. Mental health disorders are often overlooked during epidemics, yet these individuals are more vulnerable due to several factors. First, mental health disorders can increase the risk of infection, as shown by a report of 50 cases in a psychiatric hospital in Wuhan. Second, people with mental disorders may face barriers in accessing healthcare due to stigma and discrimination. Third, mental health conditions can worsen during the epidemic due to increased stress and anxiety. Additionally, restrictions on travel and quarantine have made regular medical visits difficult. The article calls for increased attention to this vulnerable population to prevent further spread of the virus and reduce health inequalities. The authors emphasize the need for adequate support for people with mental health disorders during the pandemic. The study was conducted by researchers from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Shanghai Mental Health Center, and King's College London. The authors declare no competing interests.Since January 2020, Elsevier has established a free COVID-19 resource center with information in English and Mandarin, hosted on Elsevier Connect. The center grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other public repositories. The article highlights the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on individuals with mental health disorders. Over 60,000 cases have been confirmed globally, with most in China. Mental health disorders are often overlooked during epidemics, yet these individuals are more vulnerable due to several factors. First, mental health disorders can increase the risk of infection, as shown by a report of 50 cases in a psychiatric hospital in Wuhan. Second, people with mental disorders may face barriers in accessing healthcare due to stigma and discrimination. Third, mental health conditions can worsen during the epidemic due to increased stress and anxiety. Additionally, restrictions on travel and quarantine have made regular medical visits difficult. The article calls for increased attention to this vulnerable population to prevent further spread of the virus and reduce health inequalities. The authors emphasize the need for adequate support for people with mental health disorders during the pandemic. The study was conducted by researchers from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Shanghai Mental Health Center, and King's College London. The authors declare no competing interests.
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