Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has long-term consequences for various aspects of people’s lives. Health is most affected, and in addition to the risk of disease, the fear of infection itself and the difficulties accompanying the pandemic also lead to problems in mental health. Illness, the deaths of loved ones or acquaintances, the need for social distancing and fundamental lifestyle changes, economic decline, and other factors have affected the population. Even though the lives of all people have changed significantly, some groups have suffered more, reflecting trends in the social aspect of mental health.
Negative Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mental Health Deterioration
The pandemic has become a significant stressor and has had many negative consequences. Implications for mental health manifest in anxiety, depression, increased feelings of despair and loneliness, and heightened levels of substance use. Diverse population groups report significant mental health deterioration, but the severity is different. Young people aged 18 to 29 and women, especially mothers, felt more stress associated with the coronavirus than others (Kearney et al., 2021).
For example, comparing the effect on women and men, more than half of women, 55%, and 38% of men felt an adverse effect on themselves (Kearney et al., 2021). Such data correlate with social statistics and observations on mental health. Depression and anxiety, caused by the pandemic, are mood disorders, and according to Weitz (2020), women encounter them more often. Such observations are essential for understanding the situation and developing opportunities for care.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a significant consequence of the pandemic, as deaths from it have also increased. Panchal et al. (2023) note a growth in drug overdoses, mainly among adolescents and national minorities, particularly indigenous peoples. Moreover, there is a higher alcohol mortality rate and a higher suicide rate among minorities (Panchal et al., 2023).
The extent of problems due to the pandemic is also more significant for those who have lost their jobs (Panchal et al., 2023). The data correlates with existing statistics – following Weitz (2020), people with low income more often suffer from abuse disorders. The economic decrease is one of the factors that hurt the pandemic.
Economic and Social Implications
Given the severity of the effects of the pandemic, it is necessary to consider which aspects had the most significant impact. The loss of a job and the stability of income are influencing factors. The stress also arose because of the need for remote work and education, restriction of social activities, and personal meetings (Kearney et al., 2021).
As a result of such social distancing, there is a feeling of loneliness and difficulty in solving problems. Such implications can be connected with a lack of communication and the concept of social capital necessary for people. Social capital covers resources, the access to which the individual can get through social networks, and the more social capital, the less stress the person has (Weitz, 2020). The pandemic limited social opportunities for communication and finding new acquaintances, leading to high stress.
Conclusion
Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic had impactful, harmful implications for mental health. Its threats included the risk of infection, economic recession, and social distancing. The most important consequences were the increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Groups that have felt the most adverse impact include young 18-29-year-olds, women, mothers, and minorities. These groups have previously been more likely to encounter mental health problems, indicating their vulnerability.
References
Kearney, A., Hamel, L., & Brodie, M. (2021). Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: An update. KFF/The Washington Post Trans Survey. Web.
Panchal, N., Saunders, H., Rudowitz, R., & Cox, C. (2023). The implications of COVID-19 for mental health and substance use. KFF/The Washington Post Trans Survey. Web.
Weitz, R. (2020). The sociology of health, illness, and health care: A critical approach (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage learning.