The impact of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental-health services in Europe

Johannes Thome, Jocelyn Deloyer, Andrew N. Coogan, Deborah Bailey-Rodriguez, Odete A.B. da Cruz e Silva, Frank Faltraco, Cathleen Grima, Snaebjorn Omar Gudjonsson, Cecile Hanon, Martin Hollý, Jo Joosten, Ingegerd Karlsson, Gabriela Kelemen, Maria Korman, Krzysztof Krysta, Boleslav Lichterman, Konstantin Loganovsky, Donatella Marazziti, Margarita Maraitou, Serge Mertens deWilmarsMerja Reunamen, Shyhrete Rexhaj, Muhammet Sancaktar, Javier Sempere, Isabelle Tournier, Emilie Weynant, Christiaan Vis, Marie Clotilde Lebas, Laurence Fond-Harmant

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)516-525
Number of pages10
JournalWorld Journal of Biological Psychiatry
Volume22
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • mental health
  • mental health services
  • psychiatry

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