Open schools! Weighing the effects of viruses and lockdowns on children.

This review weighs the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 against the side effects of school closures on physical and mental health, education, and well-being of those affected by the school closures. Whereas short term effects - decreased learning and food security, and increased anxiety, violence against children, child labor and teen pregnancies - are frequently discussed, the long-term effects of school closures will be much more detrimental across the lifespan of the "Generation Corona": Existing pandemics of inactivity and myopia, already affecting billions of people, are worsening due to less physical exercise and less time spent outdoors, poor diet, weight gain, and increased screen time during lockdowns, causing future increases of stroke, heart attack, cancer, and blindness. Socio-emotional complications of isolation, learned helplessness, economic and existential insecurity will include increased depression and suicide, decreased empathy and increased loneliness. Together with decreased educational attainment and economic productivity, the amount of ensuing increased future global morbidity and mortality justifies immediate action of school reopening.

Behavioural change in Prader-Willi syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder that in many cases is associated with mental health disorders, in addition to characteristic symptoms such as hyperphagia. The current Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic has led to massive restrictions in health care and social life worldwide. People with PWS represent a particularly vulnerable population group to these restrictions, with unknown impact on their mental health. METHODS: We conducted an online questionnaire to assess the impact of the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of people with PWS. RESULTS: One hundred and eight caregivers completed the survey about individuals with PWS. Individuals with PWS > 6 years (n = 89) were included for evaluation with regard to psychopathological change. Respondents frequently reported an increase in psychopathological symptoms associated with PWS during the lockdown, with 51.7% reporting increased temper outbursts, 43.8% showing signs of sadness, 38.2% being anxious, 55.0% more irritable, and 39.3% showing more food seeking behaviour. Adjusted for the type of accommodation food seeking behaviour and irritability is increased to a significantly lesser extent in people with PWS accommodated in specialised care facilities compared with those living in their family home. No significant difference could be found between the sexes. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on the mental health of individuals with PWS, evidenced by an increase in behaviours associated with PWS, including temper outbursts, food-seeking, and irritability, which again underlines their need for specialised care. Individuals living with their families were particularly vulnerable, indicating that they and their families are in special need of support.

Mental health and clinical psychological science in the time of COVID-19: Challenges, opportunities, and a call to action.

COVID-19 presents significant social, economic, and medical challenges. Because COVID-19 has already begun to precipitate huge increases in mental health problems, clinical psychological science must assert a leadership role in guiding a national response to this secondary crisis. In this article, COVID-19 is conceptualized as a unique, compounding, multidimensional stressor that will create a vast need for intervention and necessitate new paradigms for mental health service delivery and training. Urgent challenge areas across developmental periods are discussed, followed by a review of psychological symptoms that likely will increase in prevalence and require innovative solutions in both science and practice. Implications for new research directions, clinical approaches, and policy issues are discussed to highlight the opportunities for clinical psychological science to emerge as an updated, contemporary field capable of addressing the burden of mental illness and distress in the wake of COVID-19 and beyond. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of lockdown during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

BACKGROUND: During Covid-19 pandemic, the Italian government adopted restrictive limitations and declared a national lockdown on March 9, which lasted until May 4 and produced dramatic consequences on people's lives. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of prolonged lockdown on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). METHODS: Between April 30 and June 8, 2020, we interviewed with a telephone-based questionnaire the caregivers of the community-dwelling patients with dementia who had their follow-up visit scheduled from March 9 to May 15 and canceled due to lockdown. Among the information collected, patients' BPSDs were assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Non-parametric tests to compare differences between NPI scores over time and logistic regression models to explore the impact of different factors on BPSD worsening were performed. RESULTS: A total of 109 visits were canceled and 94/109 caregivers completed the interview. Apathy, irritability, agitation and aggression, and depression were the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms experienced by patients both at baseline and during Covid-19 pandemic. Changes in total NPI and caregiver distress scores between baseline and during lockdown, although statistically significant, were overall modest. The logistic regression model failed to determine predictors of BPSD worsening during lockdown. CONCLUSION: This is one of the first studies to investigate the presence of BPSD during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and related nationwide lockdown, showing only slight, likely not clinically relevant, differences in BPSD burden, concerning mostly agitation and aggression, anxiety, apathy and indifference, and irritability.

Factors associated with mental health outcomes among patients with COVID-19 treated in the Fangcang shelter hospital in China.

INTRODUCTION: Faced with surging infections and considering that 80% of cases were mild and moderate, the city government transformed stadiums and exhibition centers into the Fangcang shelter hospitals in Wuhan. The aims of this study were to evaluate mental health outcomes among patients with COVID-19 treated in the Fangcang shelter hospitals and analyze potential risk factors associated with these symptoms, including PTSS, symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress. METHOD: This cross-sectional study used an online survey to assess mental health problems of 461 confirmed COVID-19 patients in a Jianghan Fangcang shelter from February 15 to 22, 2020. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore potential risk factors. RESULTS: Overall, 25.2%, 50.1%, 54.4%, 10.2%, and 39.7% of all patients reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that female sex was associated with all investigated outcomes except insomnia. Patients with lower education level were more likely to endorse anxiety, depression, and higher perceived stress, while patients' family members with other diseases were more likely to endorse severe insomnia. Patients with illness onset to admission less than 7 days were associated with higher perceived stress. DISCUSSION: In this survey study, patients reported high rates of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress. Combining with the special environment of the shelter hospitals and patient's psychological needs, the health care workers should give more effective interventions to relieve the patients' stress and improve their mental symptoms.

"Hey, we also have something to say": A qualitative study of Portuguese adolescents' and young people's experiences under COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To give adolescents and youth a voice and listen to the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in their lives; (2) to identify their coping strategies; (3) present lessons learned to be better prepared for future pandemics. METHODS: Six hundred and seventeen participants from 16 to 24 years old (M = 19.2 years; F = 19.1 years) answered the online questionnaire during the pandemic lockdown. Sociodemographic data were analyzed with SPSS version 26 and qualitative data with MAXQDA 2020. Engel's Biopsychosocial model supported the analysis and data presentation. RESULTS: in terms of impacts, stands out: biological-headaches and muscle pain; psychological-more time to perform pleasant and personal development activities, but more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, longer screen time, and more substance use; social-increase of family conflicts and disagreements, loss of important life moments, contacts, and social skills, but it allows a greater selection of friendships. Regarding coping strategies, the importance of facing these times with a positive perspective, carrying out pleasurable activities, keeping in touch with family and friends, and establishing routines are emphasized. As lessons for future pandemics, the importance of respecting the norms of the Directorate-General for Health, the need for the National Health System to be prepared, as well as teachers and students for online learning, and studying the possibility of establishing routines with the support of television. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates adolescents and young people's perception of the impacts of the pandemic upon them, as well as their competence to participate in the issues that directly affect them. Priorities to mitigate the impact of future pandemics are presented.

COVID-19-related issues on tele-counseling helpline in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a brief description of COVID-19-related issues presented by callers to a tele-counseling helpline in Bangladesh. METHOD: Counselors who receive calls write brief descriptions of each call. These descriptions were coded and analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of callers displayed anxiety and/or sleeplessness; these callers also displayed a range of issues including family/interpersonal problems, financial difficulties, physical health concerns, mental illness, and difficulty managing quarantine. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the mental health challenges faced in Bangladesh due to lockdown and can inform future interventions.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of young people and adults: a systematic review protocol of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: Since the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, the spread of the new coronavirus has been the focus of attention of scientists, governments and populations. One of the main concerns is the impact of this pandemic on health outcomes, mainly on mental health. Even though there are a few empirical studies on COVID-19 and mental health, so far, there is no systematic review about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health of young people and adults yet. We aim to critically synthesise the scientific evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people and adults. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A systematic review will be performed through eight databases: MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), ISI-of-Knowledge, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database), SCOPUS, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), PsycINFO (Psychology Information) and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure), from inception until 30 June 2020. No restriction regarding the publication date, setting or languages will be considered. Preliminary search strategies were carried out on 29 March 2020 and will be updated in June 2020. The primary outcomes will be the prevalence and the severity of psychological symptoms in young people and adults (>18 years old) resulting from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Study selection will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Pooled standardised mean differences and 95% CIs will be calculated. The risk of bias of the observational studies will be assessed through the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies (MINORS). Additionally, if sufficient data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Heterogeneity between the studies will be determined by the I2 statistics. Subgroup analyses will also be performed. Publication bias will be checked with funnel plots and Egger's test. Heterogeneity will be explored by random-effects analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical assessment was not required. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and will be presented at conferences related to this field. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020177366.

Incarceration and pandemic-related restrictions during COVID-19: An empathic understanding of two worlds.

This paper explores parallels between experiences of confinement due to pandemic-related restrictions and confinement as a result of legal incarceration. We compare experiences of social isolation, lack of choice, and reduced access to resources while also acknowledging the existence of significant differences between the two situations. We describe the ways in which experiences of confinement as part of COVID-19 regulations can provide the general public with insight into difficulties associated with incarceration and the negative effect it can have on psychological health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Commentary on COVID-19 situation in Poland: Practical and empirical evaluation of current state.

This commentary describes some of the aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The 1st part of the text covers issues related to actions introduced by the Polish government to minimize the risk of infection as well as statistics and difficulties resulting from the restrictions introduced. In the 2nd part, we present the results of our own research, including predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity associated with the pandemic situation, and we discuss the results. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychological impact of COVID-19 in Spain: Early data report.

By the end of March 2020, Spain was one of the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This commentary provides an initial picture of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak during its initial stage in Spain. Data of 3055 participants aged 18-88 years old were collected over a week (March 17th-24th 2020) using an online forms platform. Participants provided information regarding sociodemographic data and completed the Spanish version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, which assesses psychological distress caused by a traumatic life event in terms of three symptomatic responses (avoidance, intrusion, and hyperarousal). Results revealed that 36.6% of participants showed psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Avoidance was the most prevalent symptom in the total sample and for all genders studied. The psychological impact was consistently higher for young people, and for women compared to men. Our data confirm the great psychological toll that the COVID-19 crisis took on the Spanish general population during the first week of confinement. Women and young people seem particularly vulnerable to the negative psychological impact of the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Implementing an emotional support and mental health response plan for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Institutions across the world are working to develop initiatives aimed at supporting the well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) facing the psychological impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This Commentary identifies risks that HCWs are experiencing, reviews sources of fear and stress, and describes the implementation of a three-tiered model for the provision of emotional support and mental health services for clinical and nonclinical HCWs. The model recognizes the fluid, ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and includes proactive, visible, and easy-to-access supportive psychological services that expand the safety net and help address immediate and future mental health challenges of HCWs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding the mental health burden of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom.

This article outlines the mental health burden of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom population, and presents preliminary evidence of less common psychiatric issues, such as paranoia and hallucinations, to which vulnerable groups in the U.K. population may be more vulnerable. It is argued that cognitive-behavioral therapy, with components of mindfulness, should be part of the therapeutic response. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).