The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of people with disabilities. Measures such as physical distancing, along with the associated social and economic repercussions, have further exacerbated their mental health challenges. Pandemics can have a particularly negative effect on the mental health of socially marginalized populations with limited social, financial, and collaborative resources and human support networks. Some evidence reported the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on disabled people globally. Despite high proportions of poor psychological conditions and risks of psychiatric disease such as social isolation, psychological trauma, and violent behavior, disabled people face significant challenges in accessing mental healthcare services. These challenges include prejudice and negative attitudes toward mental health workers, lack of reliable and accessible transportation options, economic barriers, and a lack of mental health workers with support and knowledge of the needs of disabled persons. The epidemic also affected caregivers, family caregivers, and other caregivers supporting persons with disabilities in a variety of ways. In addition to fatigue and other physical symptoms, there were some reports that caregivers also expressed higher proportions of poor distress and worse psychological conditions. Increased distress and anxiety among caregivers may increase the burden on caregivers. The growing mental health inequalities experienced by disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested that urgent and rapid responses to health policies and healthcare programs are needed in the provision of services for mental health to disabled people. Governments at both local and central levels have collaborated with community organizations representing disabled individuals to enhance mental health services. Such initiatives aim to provide comprehensive, accessible, and affordable mental healthcare tailored to the needs of disabled people.

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COVID-19 and Mental Health

  • Naohiro Yonemoto

摘要

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of people with disabilities. Measures such as physical distancing, along with the associated social and economic repercussions, have further exacerbated their mental health challenges. Pandemics can have a particularly negative effect on the mental health of socially marginalized populations with limited social, financial, and collaborative resources and human support networks. Some evidence reported the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on disabled people globally. Despite high proportions of poor psychological conditions and risks of psychiatric disease such as social isolation, psychological trauma, and violent behavior, disabled people face significant challenges in accessing mental healthcare services. These challenges include prejudice and negative attitudes toward mental health workers, lack of reliable and accessible transportation options, economic barriers, and a lack of mental health workers with support and knowledge of the needs of disabled persons. The epidemic also affected caregivers, family caregivers, and other caregivers supporting persons with disabilities in a variety of ways. In addition to fatigue and other physical symptoms, there were some reports that caregivers also expressed higher proportions of poor distress and worse psychological conditions. Increased distress and anxiety among caregivers may increase the burden on caregivers. The growing mental health inequalities experienced by disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested that urgent and rapid responses to health policies and healthcare programs are needed in the provision of services for mental health to disabled people. Governments at both local and central levels have collaborated with community organizations representing disabled individuals to enhance mental health services. Such initiatives aim to provide comprehensive, accessible, and affordable mental healthcare tailored to the needs of disabled people.