The impact of viral epidemics and pandemics on acute mental health service use: an integrative review

Candice Bowman, Grace Branjerdporn, Kathryn Turner, Memunatu Kamara, Nischal Tyagi, Neil Josen Delos Reyes, Nicolas Stapelberg*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleResearchpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this integrative review was to examine the impact of past viral epidemics on mental health, with a specific focus on changes in numbers of acute mental health presentations and mental health service recommendations in response to this, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following PRISMA methodology, databases were searched for relevant publications. A total of 83 articles with a range of methodologies were included to ensure broad coverage of this rapidly emerging research area. The literature supports an initial increase in mental health concerns which generally do not reach the threshold for diagnosis with a mental illness, but present to frontline telephone services. There is a potential delay before community and hospital-based mental health services see an increase in new or relapsing mental illness presentations. However vulnerable populations, such as people with pre-existing mental illness, are at increased risk of mental health issues during such public health crises. Many of the general recommendations distilled from the literature are closely aligned with existing strategic frameworks for mental health service provision. However, in review of these frameworks, gaps in the literature become more apparent, such as a failure to include people with lived experience, peer workers, and First Nations People in the COVID-19 mental health response.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-33
Number of pages33
JournalHealth Psychology Review
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Feb 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The impact of viral epidemics and pandemics on acute mental health service use: an integrative review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this