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Mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic as revealed by helpline calls.
Brülhart, Marius; Klotzbücher, Valentin; Lalive, Rafael; Reich, Stephanie K.
  • Brülhart M; University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Marius.Brulhart@unil.ch.
  • Klotzbücher V; Centre for Economic Policy Research, London, UK. Marius.Brulhart@unil.ch.
  • Lalive R; University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
  • Reich SK; University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nature ; 600(7887): 121-126, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2253143
ABSTRACT
Mental health is an important component of public health, especially in times of crisis. However, monitoring public mental health is difficult because data are often patchy and low-frequency1-3. Here we complement established approaches by using data from helplines, which offer a real-time measure of 'revealed' distress and mental health concerns across a range of topics4-9. We collected data on 8 million calls from 19 countries, focusing on the COVID-19 crisis. Call volumes peaked six weeks after the initial outbreak, at 35% above pre-pandemic levels. The increase was driven mainly by fear (including fear of infection), loneliness and, later in the pandemic, concerns about physical health. Relationship issues, economic problems, violence and suicidal ideation, however, were less prevalent than before the pandemic. This pattern was apparent both during the first wave and during subsequent COVID-19 waves. Issues linked directly to the pandemic therefore seem to have replaced rather than exacerbated underlying anxieties. Conditional on infection rates, suicide-related calls increased when containment policies became more stringent and decreased when income support was extended. This implies that financial relief can allay the distress triggered by lockdown measures and illustrates the insights that can be gleaned from the statistical analysis of helpline data.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Hotlines / Mental Health / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America / Europa Language: English Journal: Nature Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41586-021-04099-6

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Hotlines / Mental Health / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America / Europa Language: English Journal: Nature Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41586-021-04099-6