The World Health Organization said today, Monday, that care services for mentally ill and addicted patients have been disrupted in various parts of the world during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Corona virus is expected to cause more misery for many.
The organization stated that only seven percent of 134 countries that participated in a survey conducted by the organization stated that mental health services are fully functional and that 93 percent of countries said that services have decreased for people with various diseases.
“We believe this is a forgotten aspect of Covid-19, and in some ways, part of the challenges we face is that this is an area that has not been adequately funded over the years,” said Devora Castle, director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, in a press release.
She added that only 17 percent of countries worked to provide additional funding to implement activities that support the growing mental health needs during the pandemic.
“We estimate, as preliminary information shows, that there may have been an increase in the number of people with mental and neurological conditions and substance abuse,” she said.
But she clarified that the organization does not have data on the consequences of cases, including high rates of suicide and increased epileptic seizures or drug abuse, which may lead to taking excessive doses.
In its initial evaluation, the organization said that many countries, especially from low-income countries, maintained the continuation of mental health services in public hospitals that remained open, but many patients faced other challenges.
“Mobility restrictions were reported as the most common cause of service disruption in 73 percent of low-income countries,” Castel said.
However, the organization said that a large number of rich countries have taken advantage of the possibility of providing medical advice remotely and of technological means in the follow-up of mental patients.
– .
