45. Coping with Mental Health During a Pandemic

Question 1

People are at increased risk of COVID if they have what?

Answer 1

Heart failure, CAD, cardiomyopathies

COPD

Obesity

And other chronic diseases

Question 2

There may be at increased risk of COVID if?

Question 3

Over 70% of countries have adapted telehealth during COVID. What is this not considering?

Answer 3

>80% of high income countries

<50% of low income countries

Question 4

89% of countries have a COVID response including mental health support. What is this not considering?

Answer 4

Only 17% actually received additional funding for mental health

Question 5

What did the Monash (Fisher et al) Covid mental health study find?

Answer 5

• Mental health problems doubled in prevalence compared to non-lockdown periods
  
  • Anxiety, depression & irritability attributed to restrictions
  • Worse for those who
    
    • Lost jobs
    • Caring for children of other family members
    • Lived alone
    • Had fewer resources
• Depressive symptoms 27.6%
• Anxiety (GAD score ≥ 10) 21%
• However, high optimism
  
  • 28.3% of people ≥ on a 0 to 10 VAS

Question 6

What have other studies found about how lockdown has affected our lives?

Answer 6

↓ Physical activity

↑ Alcohol use

↑ Smoking

↑ Psychological distress

↑ more in females compared to males

↑ Single compared to partnered

↑ Lower incomes

↑ Chronic illness

Question 7

What was the top concerns of those aged 5 to 25 between Jan and Apr 2020 according to Kids Helpline?

Answer 7

1. Mental health
2. Social isolation
3. Impact on education
4. Impact on family life
5. Changes to plans and activities

Question 8

What is Australia doing to counter the decreasing mental health during the Pandemic?

Answer 8

• Launched a mental health and well-being plan (May 2020)
  
  • Additional $48 million mental health funding
• Increased access to Medicare subsidised psychological sessions (up to 20 from 10) (Oct 2020)
• Additional, dedicated mental health clinics in Victoria (Sept 2020)

Question 9

How are people with Autism coping with the pandemic?

Answer 9

• Many people with Autism like structure and routine
• Every autistic person is different but Autism can be accompanied by
  
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Aggression
• Some services and programs have closed or moved online
• These means decreases in:
  
  • Psychological support
  • Speech, occupational and behavioural therapy

Question 10

Are people with Autism at higher risk of COVID?

Answer 10

• This is unknown
• Covid physiopathology involves a ‘cytokine storm’
• Autism Spectrum Disorder physiopathology involves modifications at the genetic and immune level
• So maybe??