Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. What initially started as time-limited stay-at-home orders eventually progressed to increasingly stringent safety recommendations for personal protective equipment, isolation precautions, social distancing, and ultimately vaccination. Beyond the health and mental health impact of the virus itself, the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 have had major repercussions on mental health and mental health care delivery.

The selected articles characterize the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the innovation and resilience of health care systems and providers. In a field that thrives on human connection, psychiatric services providers have been tasked with overcoming the impact of social isolation and added strain on vulnerable psychiatric patient populations. This collection explores the adaptation of mental health systems, the mental health effects of the pandemic on at-risk populations, and the unique challenges of frontline providers who continue to meet the demands imposed by COVID-19. The goal of this collection is to acknowledge the new obstacles to mental health access as a result of COVID-19, inspire innovative solutions, and acknowledge the fortitude of patients and providers during this trying time in global history.