Challenges facing mental health systems arising from the Covid-19 pandemic
Evidence from 14 European and North American countries
Bibliographic Data
We assessed challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented for mental health systems and the responses to these challenges in 14 countries in Europe and North America. Experts from each country filled out a structured questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions between January and June 2021. We conducted thematic analysis to investigate the qualitative responses to open-ended questions, and we summarized the responses to closed-ended survey items on changes in telemental health policies and regulations. Findings revealed that many countries grappled with the rising demand for mental health services against a backdrop of mental health provider shortages and challenges responding to workforce stress and burnout. All countries in our sample implemented new policies or initiatives to strengthen mental health service delivery - with more than two-thirds investing to bolster their specialized mental health care sector. There was a universal shift to telehealth to deliver a larger portion of mental health services in all 14 countries, which was facilitated by changes in national regulations and policies; 11 of the 14 participating countries relaxed regulations and 10 of 14 countries made changes to reimbursement policies to facilitate telemental health care. These findings provide a first step to assess the long-term challenges and re-organizational effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health systems in Europe and North America
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Coronavirus Infections · Geography · Mental health · Outbreak · Pandemic · Political science · Psychiatry · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Virology
Global prevalence of mental health issues among the general population during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic
The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression within front-line healthcare workers caring for Covid-19 patients
Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the Covid-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021
Translating Research Into Practice
A rapid review of the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers
Mental disorders, comorbidity and suicidal behavior
Digital Health Equity and Covid-19
Determinants of burnout and other aspects of psychological well-being in healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic
The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder
Covid-19 mental health impact and responses in low-income and middle-income countries
Twelve-Month Use of Mental Health Services in the United States
Use of mental health services for anxiety, mood, and substance disorders in 17 countries in the WHO world mental health surveys
Undertreatment of people with major depressive disorder in 21 countries
Prevalence and Treatment of Mental Disorders, 1990 to 2003
Prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological distress among populations affected by the Covid-19 pandemic
Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the Covid-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020
Global prevalence and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Burnout Among Healthcare Workers in the Covid 19 Era
Balancing financial incentives during Covid-19
European countries' responses in ensuring sufficient physical infrastructure and workforce capacity during the first Covid-19 wave
Mental health and health behaviours before and during the initial phase of the Covid-19 lockdown
Adequacy of Treatment for Serious Mental Illness in the United States
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 4 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |