NEW YORK: The United Nations has warned that people can face a major global mental health crisis due to coronavirus outbreak.
The UN called for urgent action to address the psychological suffering brought on by the pandemic which has affected 4,430,664 people globally.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a video message warned, “After decades of neglect and underinvestment in mental health services, the COVID-19 pandemic is now hitting families and communities with additional mental stress.”
“Even when the pandemic is brought under control, grief, anxiety, and depression will continue to affect people and communities,” he said.
The UN also pointed out the psychological impact on vast numbers of people who have lost or are at risk of losing their livelihoods, have been separated from loved ones, or have suffered under drastic lockdown orders.
“We know that the current situations, the fear, and uncertainty, the economic turmoil, they all-cause or could cause psychological distress,” Devora Kestel, head of the WHO’s mental health.
A whole host of other groups also face particular psychological challenges brought on by the crisis. Children being kept out of school, for instance, face uncertainty and anxiety.
Along with women, they also face a heightened risk of domestic abuse as people spend lengthy amounts of time cooped up at home.
The WHO, moreover, has warned that coronavirus may never go away. People around the world will gradually learn to live with the virus that was first emerged in China’s Wuhan city late last year.
Read more: WHO warns coronavirus could kill 190,000 in Africa
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