Anxiety, depression rose by 25% during first year of COVID-19 Pandemic, WHO finds

In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global rates of anxiety and depression rose massively by 25%, according to the findings of a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the global health agency’s new report, the greatest deterioration in mental health occurred in the areas most affected by COVID-19, where infections were high and social interactions were limited.

“The information we currently have on the impact of COVID-19 on global mental health is just the tip of the iceberg,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in a statement.

Calling the report “a call to action for all countries to pay more attention and do a better job of supporting the mental health of their populations,” Dr. Tedros told reporters in Geneva that “the effects of the pandemic go far beyond the deaths and illnesses caused by the virus itself.”

The science brief also highlights who is most affected and summarizes the impact of the pandemic on the availability of mental health services and how this has changed over the first 12 months of the pandemic.

Although the highlighting of these concerns about the potential increase in mental health disorders has already prompted 90% of countries surveyed to include mental health and psychosocial support in their COVID-19 response plans, major gaps and concerns remain, WHO reports.