Overcoming the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on mental health: a comprehensive society-wide response

According to a new OECD survey, the mental health of the population has deteriorated significantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the data, the prevalence of mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, has increased since March 2020.

Risk factors for poor mental health — financial insecurity, unemployment, fear-increased, while protective factors — social connections and employment, access to exercise, daily routines, access to health services — decreased.

Various survey tools were used in the OECD countries to measure the prevalence of anxiety and depression, as well as the levels of mental disorders.

A survey conducted by the Commonwealth Trust between March and May 2020 found that many adults reported stress, anxiety or sadness that had been difficult to cope with alone since the outbreak began.

Mental disorders among the population were highest during periods of increased mortality from COVID-19 and measures to limit transmission of the virus.

Between 2020 and 2021, the population's mental health improved and deteriorated in waves, with peaks in mental disorders closely correlated with peaks in COVID-19 mortality, as well as with periods when pandemic control measures were most stringent.

People with less stable jobs, lower levels of education, and lower incomes experience higher rates of mental health problems during the COVID-19 crisis.

The risk of poor mental health and resistance to it differ by population group, in particular, by age, gender, employment status, financial status and socio-economic status.

According to the study, young and single people, people with lower socio-economic status, and the unemployed had higher rates of mental disorders.

It is also known that the prevalence of mental disorders in men and women differs, while women are more likely to have a state of depression or anxiety.

During the COVID-19 crisis, existing gender differences in the prevalence of anxiety and depression widened. Data from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK showed that mental health among working parents deteriorated more than those without children, with working women reporting a larger decline.

Comprehensive and cross-sectoral strategies are needed to improve mental health support. The OECD Recommendation on Integrated Mental Health, Skills and Work Policies calls for such efforts.

The recommendation, which is the result of years of work by the OECD in the field of mental health and work, suggests that through early intervention in youth, workplace and social welfare policies, the social, educational and work outcomes of people with mental disorders can be improved.

Ensuring access to mental health services and responding to the increased need for mental health care.

During the COVID-19 crisis, there were significant disruptions in the provision of mental health services. A WHO survey conducted in the second quarter of 2020 found that more than 60% of the world's countries reported interruptions in mental health services: 67% experienced interruptions in counseling and psychotherapy; 65% experienced interruptions in critical harm reduction services; and 35% reported failures in emergency care (WHO, 2020).

The COVID-19 outbreak has pushed governments to make online or digital mental health resources available. For example, in mid-April 2020, the Government of Canada launched a new mental health resource portal, Wellness Together Canada, which offers free health self-assessment, tracking and support resources, and advice by text or phone.

OECD countries need to increase the availability of mental health services and respond to the growing demand for health care.

Most OECD countries have taken some steps to increase mental health support.

In particular, countries have introduced:

·      new forms of mental health support, including informational materials (mostly online);

·      new mental health support phone lines;

·      moving mental health services to telemedicine formats;

·      increase in the volume of services or rights;

·      increased investment in mental health.

Adapting work policies to promote mental health in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

The COVID-19 crisis has led to a significant increase in remote work. In all OECD countries, about 39% of workers switched to remote work at the beginning of the pandemic. Remote work can increase the risks of overtime and burnout — managing work-life balance has been particularly difficult for working parents who combine professional responsibilities with child care and home schooling.

New work regimes require new measures to protect the mental health of workers. In December 2020, the European Parliament called for the adoption of a law granting workers the right to disconnect from digital technologies without any consequences during non-working hours, following the example of France, Italy, Spain and Luxembourg, where legislation on the "right to disconnect" already exists.

Many employees still feel that their employers are not doing enough to address the mental health problems caused by the pandemic. For example, in a survey of employees working remotely in the United States, employees were 26% less likely than managers to say that their companies were successful in supporting employees ' mental health. While large employers in the US are reporting increased access to virtual mental health services for their employees in the face of the pandemic, small and medium-sized employers may face greater challenges in providing mental health support.

The National Commission on Mental Health of Canada, offers a set of voluntary guidelines to support companies in creating jobs that promote a mentally healthy work environment. One of the key components is the professional training of middle and senior managers. Governments should consider investing in awareness-raising campaigns and seek to promote mental health training.

Develop a workplace retention scheme to improve the mental health of employees.

COVID-19 crisis has greatly affected the employment situation, thanks to the widespread use of job retention schemes.   One way that governments can help maintain the mental health of people participating in job retention programs is by encouraging employers to reduce their hours of work instead of reducing them to zero. Consideration should also be given to the possibility of amending existing job retention schemes to facilitate the division of work and allow partial return to work.

Addressing poor mental health by strengthening public employment services.

Losing your job can be a contributing factor to poor mental health. Across the OECD, there are almost 10 million more people unemployed than before the crisis, with job losses concentrated in the hardest-hit sectors such as entertainment, hospitality, transport and retail. Preventing long-term unemployment should be a priority. This, in particular, is a serious problem for young people and new graduates.

It is necessary to combine mental health support with employment support. Evidence shows that mental health treatment alone does not improve the employment outcomes of individuals with mental disorders, while comprehensive employment and mental health support has proven effective in improving employment prospects.

Conclusion. In most OECD countries, comprehensive support for mental health and employment is still not implemented on a large scale, and most of the efforts are aimed at people with severe mental disorders.  In addition to emergency measures, there is an urgent need for more active and comprehensive policies in support of mental health.

Active labor market programs can help mitigate the harmful effects of unemployment on mental health. Employers should contribute to the mental health of employees, including those who have participated in job retention programs.

Youth support systems will also play a role in supporting the mental health of future generations.

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