Mental Wellbeing and Boosting Resilience to Mitigate the Adverse Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Critical Narrative Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc globally. Besides devastating physical health consequences, the mental health consequences are dire as well and are predicted to have a long-term impact for some individuals and communities and society as a whole. Specific keywords were entered into various popular databases at three points in time (June 2020, April 2021, and February 2022). Articles about COVID-19 that focused on mental health and/or discussed improving resilience/coping were reviewed by the authors. A total of 119 publications were included. The pandemic is certainly a chronic stressor for many people, and some may be traumatized in the aftermath which may lead to stress-related disorders. The psychological impacts of this stress and trauma are reported and findings presented around three key themes: mental health impact, impact in the workplace, and improving resilience. In addition, particularly vulnerable populations are discussed and some of the violence and inequities they might face. Resilience literature offers keys to promoting positive mental wellbeing during and after the pandemic. Being able to effectively respond to the heterogeneity of specific situations while building resilience is addressed. Prevention, preparedness, Psychological First Aid training, and trauma informed practice can all contribute to building resilience and promoting peri/post-traumatic growth at all levels of society. This narrative review provides an overview of the literature on mental health and resilience in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors propose that, through the use of the accumulated empirical knowledge on resilience, we can mitigate many of the most damaging outcomes. Implications for mental health professionals, policy suggestions, and future research directions are explored.

Lifestyle changes and psychosocial impact of COVID-19 lockdown

Unprecedented CoVid-19 pandemic led to unprecedented measures in France. The 8-week lockdown period led to both lifestyles changes and endangered some already socially and economically vulnerable individuals and families. To the direct risks related to lockdown situation, other deleterious consequences include psychological impact and potentially lasting health behaviour changes. Lockdown long-term effects are a twofold global health challenge. First with regards to the prevention and treatment of health consequences;second, in relation to the planning of support mechanisms should lockdown period be implemented again, locally or nationally. Both community and health sectors should work collaboratively to ensure psychosocial support as mental health is paramount in global health approach and public health strategies.

Lockdown-(exit) impact: Rethinking crisis support for the public

The psychosocial impact of lockdown or quarantine measures have been documented in pandemics over the last decades. However, none of these pandemics had severely impacted Western Europe. Covid-19, as global pandemic has unprecedently impacted the public. In France, lockdown and lockdown-exit experiences and attitudes have been documented. Preliminary data highlights vulnerability factors and increased distress and/or symptoms in vulnerable groups. The authors emphasise public mental health challenges and the need for prevention and support strategies to be developed.