Impact of Social Isolation and Digital Divide on Mental Health and Wellbeing in Patients with Mental Health Disorders during COVID-19: A Multiple Case Study.

The positive relationship between social connections and mental health and wellbeing has been widely documented. During the initial stage of the pandemic, COVID-19 associated restrictions had given rise to social isolation that had a negative effect on individuals' mental health and wellbeing, particularly among patients with preexisting mental health disorders. To abridge physical distance, digital technology had become a primary method of communication and social engagement. However, not everyone had access to internet and devices required to connect online due to the digital divide, especially among marginalized populations. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore experiences of social isolation and the digital divide among patients with mental health disorders, and its impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Our findings revealed that social isolation was the major contributing factor to the intensification of mental health symptoms, while the digital divide (e.g., financial constraints and low proficiency in digital technology) was recognized as a barrier to making social connections via digital technologies. Nurses should engage with communities and policymakers in developing strategies to address the social determinants of health disparities during the current pandemic, other disruptive pandemics and beyond.

Transition of Mental Health Service Delivery to Telepsychiatry in Response to COVID-19: A Literature Review.

Due to COVID-19, face-to-face mental health service delivery has been interrupted by social distancing and stay-at-home orders. To abridge physical distance between patients and healthcare providers, while limiting exposure to COVID-19, telepsychiatry has been widely adopted to provide services to patients with pre-existing mental health disorders. Though telepsychiatry has become more mainstream in delivering mental health services during COVID-19, evaluation studies of the rapid conversion of care delivery from face-to-face to telepsychiatry have been limited. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the transition of mental health service delivery to telepsychiatry during COVID-19. The findings of the current review showed that a majority of patients and healthcare providers were satisfied with telepsychiatry services, and suggest that telepsychiatry is feasible and appropriate for supporting patients and healthcare providers during COVID-19.