COVID-19 Intelligence Report: Behavioral Health

Title: Anxiety, Depression, Traumatic Stress, and COVID-19 Related Anxiety in the UK General Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Publisher: pre-pub/not peer reviewed Publication Date: April 14, 2020

URL: https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/confronting-mental-health/

Key Takeaway: 2000 UK residents reported increased levels of anxiety, depression and trauma, but not dramatically increased. Risk factors included youth, presence of children at home, and high estimated personal risk. Low and loss of income predicted anxiety and depression symptoms, along with pre-existing health conditions and being elderly.

Title: Mental Health Outcomes Among Frontline and Second-Line Health Care Workers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in Italy Publisher: JAMA Psychiatry

Publication Date: May 28, 2020

URL: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2766378

Key Takeaway: This cross-sectional study of 1379 HCW’s in Italy shows is the first report on mental health outcomes and associated risk factors among HCWs in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results are in line with previous reports from China, confirming a substantial proportion of mental health issues, particularly among young women and frontline HCWs. The authors recommend these findings required further monitoring and specific interventions for HCWs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent long- term mental health–related disabilities.

Title: Lessons learned from 9/11: Mental health perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic

Publisher: Psychiatric Research

Publication Date: 15 April 2020

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158831/

Key Takeaway:  The COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead to high rates of PTSD, depression, and substance misuse among survivors, victims’ families, medical workers, and other essential personnel. The mental health response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, culminating in a federally-funded health program, provides a template for how providers may serve affected individuals. Mental health monitoring, early identification of at-risk individuals, and treatment irrespective of financial barriers are essential for minimizing chronic distress.