The impact of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental-health services in Europe. (9th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thome, Johannes; Deloyer, Jocelyn; Coogan, Andrew N.; Bailey-Rodriguez, Deborah; da Cruz e Silva, Odete A. B.; Faltraco, Frank; Grima, Cathleen; Gudjonsson, Snaebjorn Omar; Hanon, Cecile; Hollý, Martin; Joosten, Jo; Karlsson, Ingegerd; Kelemen, Gabriela; Korman, Maria; Krysta, Krzysztof; Lichterman, Boleslav; Loganovsky, Konstantin; Marazziti, Donatella; Maraitou, Margarita; Mertens deWilmars, Serge; Reunamen, Merja; Rexhaj, Shyhrete; Sancaktar, Muhammet; Sempere, Javier; Tournier, Isabelle; Weynant, Emilie; Vis, Christiaan; Lebas, Marie-Clotilde; Fond-Harmant, Laurence
• Is Part Of: World journal of biological psychiatry. Volume 22:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 516
• Page End: 525
• Publication Date: 2021-08-09
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- mental health -- mental health services -- psychiatry; Biological psychiatry -- Periodicals; Biological Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1844290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1562-2975

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: The current COVID-19 pandemic confronts psychiatric patients and mental health services with unique and severe challenges. Methods: In order to identify these trans-national challenges across Europe, an ad-hoc survey was conducted among 23 experts, each answering for one European or aligned country. Results: A number of important themes and issues were raised for the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and mental health services, barriers to service provision and future consequences. A number of key issues were reported by colleagues across several jurisdictions, even though these were at different stages of their national epidemics. Conclusions: Based on these findings, we articulate some important learnings from the early stages of the COVID-19 European pandemic, and highlight key considerations for all countries' mental health services as the current pandemic develops and for future pandemics.