COVID-19 pandemic and mental health impacts

Abstract

The COVID-19 Pandemic had several impacts on the world regarding health, lifestyle, and the economy. This major virus outbreak, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), presented a major hazard to the mental health of the global populace . According to WHO, mental health is the state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community . The COVID-19 pandemic may have had a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people due to its disruption of the general ability to work productively and make a significant contribution to the community at large.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased levels of anxiety, because of the uncertainty that came with a novel, unknown disease, and the anxiety that came with the fear of infection. The pandemic may also have worsened the mental health of those with 3 pre-existing mental illnesses. This may be due to limitations in their access to mental health services , and the experience of 4 pandemic-related isolation, fear, and worry among others (4) . The global prevalence of anxiety and depression, increased by 25% . The impact of COVID-19 has been immense in SubSaharan Africa, due to fear, anxiety and, direct impact of disease on self or loved ones . In Nigeria, up to 49% of the population reported anxiety during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic . This article will examine the mental health impacts