Public Policy Responses to Address the Mental Health Consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Evidence From Chile

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22070187
AutoresMatías Irarrázaval (0000-0002-7864-0257), Matías Irarrázaval Domínguez (0000-0002-9087-8305, Millennium Institute for Research in Depression and Personality), Pablo Norambuena (0000-0002-7795-924X, Ministry of Health), C R Montenegro (0000-0001-9291-267X, University of Exeter), Olga Toro-Devia (0000-0003-2581-5014, University of Chile, autor de correspondencia), Belén Vargas (0000-0003-1028-9066, Ministry of Health), Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar (0000-0002-4614-8380, University of Tarapacá)
Año2021
Volumen9
Páginas590335-590335
Fecha de publicación2021-09-29
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.590335
PMID34660500
OpenAlexW3204767176
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas14

Objectives: This paper reviews the mental health policies that have been implemented in Chile in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the international context of countries' responses. Even before the start of the pandemic, there were significant barriers to access mental health services in Chile, coupled with a scenario of nationwide social unrest and protests that questioned the legitimacy of public institutions; now the rapidly worsening outbreaks of COVID-19 are exacerbating the pre-existing mental health crisis. Methods: We conducted a bibliometric and content analysis of the Chilean mental health public policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and then compared these policies with international experiences and emerging scientific evidence on the mental health impact of pandemics. Results: Our analysis of the policies identifies five crucial points of action developed in Chile: (i) an established framework to address mental health in emergency and disaster situations; (ii) a timely COVID-19 Mental Health Action Plan; (iii) inclusion of mental health in the public health agenda; (iv) development of a presidential strategy during the pandemic for comprehensive mental health and well-being; and (v) emerging research assessing the mental health implications of COVID-19. Conclusions: In Chile, the public policy responses to address the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized by the coordinated implementation of mental health plans, ranging from a health sectoral initiative to inter-agency and intersectoral efforts. However, it is imperative that increased funding is allocated to mental health, and efforts should be made to promote the participation of people with lived experiences and communities in the design and implementation of the proposed actions. This aspect could be of key importance to social peace and community recovery after the pandemic

Action plan · Disease · Economic growth · Environmental health · Geography · Mental health · Pandemic · Political science · Psychiatry · Public health · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Nursing · Resilience and Mental Health · Health Policy