RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This survey examined the experiences of individuals receiving treatment in a large public mental health system during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The survey, conducted between May and June 2020, assessed four domains: impacts on mental health, experiences with telehealth, access to care and resources, and sources and adequacy of support. Descriptive analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of 4,046 respondents, 70% reported increases in their anxiety and stress because of the pandemic. A majority (55%) reported experiencing challenges related to the social determinants of health and functional needs. Most respondents reported that their care went undisrupted, with 92% using telehealth and 90% reporting feeling adequately supported. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic substantially affected individuals with mental illness, particularly with regard to mental health related to the social determinants of health and functional needs. However, respondents felt that their mental health care was maintained and that they were adequately supported.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Trastornos Mentales , Telemedicina , COVID-19/epidemiología , Humanos , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Trastornos Mentales/terapia , Salud Mental , PandemiasRESUMEN
Individuals with serious mental illness are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. The New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health implemented patient and staff rapid testing, quarantining, and vaccination to limit COVID-19 spread in 23 state-operated psychiatric hospitals between November 2020 and February 2021. COVID-19 infection rates in inpatients and staff decreased by 96% and 71%, respectively, and the NYS population case rate decreased by 6%. Repeated COVID-19 testing and vaccination should be priority interventions for state-operated psychiatric hospitals. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(10):1780-1783. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306444).