The coronavirus pandemic will have a "
long-term
"
impact
on the mental health of populations, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Thursday, July 22, during a meeting in Athens of ministers and officials of health.
Read also: The French affected in their mental health
“
From the anxiety related to the transmission of the virus, to the psychological impact of lockdowns and self-isolation, to the consequences of unemployment, financial hardship and social exclusion, everyone is affected by one way or another,
”said the WHO, in a statement. The pandemic will have a "
long-term and far-reaching impact,
" the organization warns.
“
We are talking about a key component of our health.
It requires action now
”from governments, urged Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister, at the opening of a two-day forum of ministers from the WHO Europe region, which includes 53 countries, in Athens.
"
We must speak openly about the stigma that accompanies mental health,
" he added, in the presence of a dozen ministers, the others following the meeting by videoconference.
For Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, “
there is no excuse for falling behind
”.
The pandemic shook the world
The WHO believes that "
it is not just the contamination, or the fear of being contaminated that has affected the mental health of the population
". But “
the stress caused by socio-economic inequalities and the effects of quarantine, confinement, the closure of schools and workplaces have had enormous consequences
,” underlines the WHO.
“
The pandemic shook the world.
More than four million lives have been lost around the world, income has been destroyed, families and communities have been separated, businesses have been declared bankrupt ...
”, recalls Dr Hans Kluge, director of the WHO in Europe.
“
Mental health and well-being must be seen as fundamental human rights,
” he continues, calling on states to rethink access to care.
Read also: Mental health: how to improve patient care
Among the recommendations of the WHO are the strengthening of mental health services in general, the improvement of access to care via digital technology, the increase of psychological support services in schools, universities, on site. work and for people working on the front lines in the fight against Covid-19.