The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis have adversely impacted the mental health and created additional obstacles for individuals already suffering from mental illness and drug use disorders. There are also concerns about deteriorating mental health caused by burnout among front line staff and increased anxiety or mental illness among those with poor physical health. Those with pre-pandemic mental illness and drug use disorders , and those newly infected , would likely need services for mental wellbeing and drug use. The pandemic highlights current and emerging obstacles to accessing care for mental health and drug use disorders.