Authors: Athena Owirodu, Chelsea Raubenheimer, Bridget Lavin, Azra K. Nurkic
This week, I4DI is looking at the intersect of COVID-19 and mental health to make the case that “mental health needs must be treated as a core element of our response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic”, as said by the WHO Director-General. Around the world, the protracted coronavirus pandemic is taking an emotional toll on the general public and disproportionally affecting vulnerable populations like healthcare workers, COVID-19 patients, and women.
Of equal concern, COVID-19 daily cases are still growing globally, with this week seeing the largest daily average since the beginning of the pandemic. So, while certain countries may have “flattened the curve”, the world as a whole has yet to slow down this vicious virus. Cases are surging this week in Europe, North America, across Africa, the Middle East, and in some parts of Asia, and India just set the record for highest number of confirmed cases in a single day. With these continuously concerning statistics, following the advice of the CDC, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing remain our best defense and greatest hope.
Additional stats from this week include:
– 31 million coronavirus cases now confirmed globally
– India set the highest daily case record with 97,894 confirmed cases in a single day.
– 961,544 people have died worldwide from COVID-19
– 1 in 3 American adults experienced stress, anxiety, or great sadness that was difficult to cope with alone.
– 1 in 2 American adults who experienced negative economic consequences of COVID-19 report experiencing mental health distress.
– A U.K. study showed that 1 in 3 women had clinically significant levels of distress compared with 1 in 5 men.
– 1 in 7 reported COVID-19 cases, globally, is a healthcare worker; 1 of 2 healthcare workers experience Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS)
– Female healthcare workers carry a higher psychological burden due to COVID-19 stressors compared to their male counterparts.
– 1000+ U.S. healthcare workers have died of COVID-19.
– According to a study of patients in China, 96.2% patients experienced Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) following their illness
