The purpose of this brief review is to summarize the current state of research on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. The authors aim to provide insight into the short- and long-term effects of the pandemic on mental health, as well as identify vulnerable populations and potential interventions. This critical essay will examine the general theses of this article, the main findings of the authors, and the limitations that might exist.
The study utilized a review methodology to examine 48 articles on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. The epidemic has had a major detrimental impact on mental health. They discovered that rates of anxiety, sadness, and other diseases had increased (Magill et al., 2020). The first fact, according to the researchers, is that “it is crucial that mental health services are adequately funded and accessible to those in need” (Magill et al., 2020, p. 1262). The second fact is that pandemic-related mental health problems are most likely to affect vulnerable populations, such as healthcare workers and people with pre-existing mental health conditions (Magill et al., 2020). The authors identified several potential interventions, including teletherapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and social support.
The current state of research on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health is thoroughly outlined in this review. However, there are several limitations to consider. Magill et al.’s (2020) opinion are that the study only includes a small set of articles, which may limit the generalizability of the findings, “further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of the pandemic on mental health” (Magill et al., 2020, p. 1264). Alonzo et al.’s (2022) opinion are that anxiety and stress factors need a broader study. My critique is that the authors do not provide a detailed description of the review methodology, which may limit the transparency and reproducibility of the study.
In conclusion, further investigation is required to examine the pandemic’s long-term consequences on mental health as well as to pinpoint efficient solutions for susceptible populations. Future research should also strive to include a more varied and representative sample in order to comprehend the effect of COVID-19 on mental health globally. However, according to the work reviewed in this essay, the negative effect that the pandemic has had on the mental state of people through PTSD, depression, and other issues is clearly noticeable.
References
Alonzo, D., Popescu, M., & Zubaroglu-Ioannides, P. (2022). The current pandemic, a complex emergency? Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on highly vulnerable communities in Guatemala. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 68(7), 1382-1393. Web.
Magill, E., Siegel, Z., & Pike, K. M. (2020). The mental health of frontline health care providers during pandemics: A rapid review of the literature. National Institute of Mental Health, 71(12), 1260–1269. Web.