Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - a mental health service perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for health care provision. The physical health risks of COVID-19 infection have been well documented. However, the effects on mental health and mental health care have been and will likely continue to be significant. Throughout the pandemic there has been evidence of increased levels of relapse in people with pre-existing mental health conditions. There have also been increased mental health problems in people with no previous mental health disorders. Greater carer strain has been seen in mental health services. This has been compounded by decreased or variable access to health care services, 24-hour care and day care services. There have also been negative effects on the mental health care service and workforce. Significantly disabling post-COVID-19 infection has been associated with well-publicised reports of a chronic condition, described as 'long COVID'. The pandemic negatively impacted on mental health education, research and training, all embedded in mental health services. It is within this context that this review scrutinises the effects of the pandemic on various aspects of psychiatric services, including patient and carer care, psychiatrists, allied health professionals and wider service provision. Positive and innovative solutions to the pandemic challenges developed by mental health services and their stakeholders are also discussed.