The World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted a surge in severe mental health cases as COVID-19 cases continue to rise worldwide, including in Zimbabwe.
WHO director of the department of Mental Health and Substance use, Devora Kestel, said losing loved ones, as well as the fear of contracting the virus was causing increased psychological distress leading to various mental problems.
Kestel tweeted following a recent WHO debrief on COVID-19 and mental health that psychological distress was affecting frontline workers, the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions, who are more likely to be affected by the virus than other population groups.
“Psychological distress is likely to increase due to a number challenges which include the impact of the necessary public health measures to contain the virus, which has left many physically isolated and separated from their natural social networks,” Kestel said at the weekend.
“As such, it is likely that there will be an increase in the number of severity of mental health problem. WHO advocates for the whole societal approach to addressing mental health during this crisis.”
She also said that poor mental health conditions affected industrial productivity, which had a negative impact to the global economy.
“One trillion is lost every year due to poor mental health. Substantial investment is required globally to ensure quality of mental health problems which protect and promote human rights for the people with health problems so that they are available and accessible to everyone during this crisis and beyond.”