Social inequalities and collateral damages of the COVID-19 pandemic: when basic needs challenge mental health care

Excerpt

Never before has there been such a high level of mobilization around mental health during an epidemic (Pappa et al. 2020). International agencies, with the UN General Secretary at the forefront, the Director of the World Health Organization, as well as researchers, policy makers and civil society leaders have all drawn attention to the need for mental health care for people affected by COVID-19. In the so-called developed countries, many training courses and guidelines have been developed to help mental health professionals to offer telepsychotherapy in order to comply with the physical distancing measures taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a mental health commission has been implemented within the response committees to fight the pandemic. These measures have been part of unprecedented efforts to raise awareness on mental health issues. …