COVID-19, Mental Health, and Occupational Therapy

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, prompting widespread public health measures that inadvertently disrupted occupational engagement and mental health. This chapter highlights the specific challenges presented by COVID-19 with a focus on mental health. This chapter focuses on mental health, a key strategy in responding to the pandemic, as identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Key mental health-related impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s population included occupational disruption, increased mental health issues, and a marked impact on vulnerable populations such as children and those with pre-existing mental conditions. Telehealth emerged as a crucial adaptation in occupational therapy, facilitating continuity of care. However, disparities in access to these services persist, necessitating further attention to health equity. Lessons learned are ongoing and point to the use of virtual/ teletherapy technologies, the need for integrated health services, and ongoing support for mental health care in future pandemics.