Covid-19 has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93 percent of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) survey.
It was learnt that 130 countries provided the first global data showing the devastating impact of Covid-19 on access to mental health services, underscoring the urgent need for increased funding.
The survey, which was conducted between June and August, was published ahead of the WHO’s ‘Big Event for Mental Health’ ̶ a global online advocacy event on 10 October.
More than 60 percent reported disruptions to mental health services for vulnerable people, including children and adolescents, and women requiring antenatal or postnatal services.
Also, more than a third (35 percent) reported disruptions to emergency interventions, including those for people experiencing prolonged seizures.
‘Good mental health is absolutely fundamental to overall health and well-being’, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said.
‘Covid-19 has interrupted essential mental health services around the world just when they are needed most.
‘World leaders must move fast and decisively to invest more in life-saving mental health programmes, during the pandemic and beyond’.
While 70 percent of countries, according to the survey, have adopted telemedicine or teletherapy to overcome disruptions to in-person services, there are significant disparities in the uptake of these interventions.
It was also learnt that more than 80 percent of high-income countries reported deploying telemedicine and teletherapy to bridge gaps in mental health, compared with less than 50 percent of low-income countries.
The global health organisation therefore called for more money for mental health.
It noted that as the pandemic continues, even greater demand will be placed on national and international mental health programmes that have suffered from years of chronic underfunding.
Source: World Health Organisation
Photo source: NCDC
