TITLE:
Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reflecting on Lockdowns and Social Isolations
AUTHORS:
Ali Cheshmehzangi, Zhaohui Su, Tong Zou, Hengcai Chen, Tian Tang, Ayotunde Dawodu
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19, Mental Health, Lockdown, Response, Public Health, Social Isolation
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.12 No.2,
May
17,
2022
ABSTRACT: This brief study explores the diverse and long-term mental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on societies worldwide. Based on the recent existing literature, six primary categories of mental effects are identified to verify how people are affected by reoccurring lockdowns and social isolations. The study urges holistic research in this field, suggesting that researchers must not neglect the diversity of mental health impacts and context-specific factors. While long-term mental and psychological impacts are mostly hidden for now, we anticipate them to fuel other health issues already experienced by the vulnerable groups, healthcare units, and those fighting the pandemic at the front line. The paper aims to highlight primary mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic due to reoccurring lockdowns and social isolations. This is an opinion paper reflecting on ongoing research related to mental health issues of the ongoing pandemic, some of that could be looked at through case study research or extended research and comparative studies. This brief study suggests further case study-based analysis to evaluate the impacts of lockdowns and social isolations on societal wellbeing and mental health. Globally, the ongoing pandemic has made public health unstable and is expected to continue with its long-term consequences on societies. Research studies should help make governments and policymakers more aware of such long-term consequences to ensure they can respond more effectively to foreseeing public health issues.