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Challenges facing mental health systems arising from the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from 14 European and North American countries

Author

Listed:
  • Cummings, Janet R.
  • Zhang, Xinyue
  • Gandré, Coralie
  • Morsella, Alisha
  • Shields-Zeeman, Laura
  • Winkelmann, Juliane
  • Allin, Sara
  • Augusto, Gonçalo Figueiredo
  • Cascini, Fidelia
  • Cserháti, Zoltán
  • de Belvis, Antonio Giulio
  • Eriksen, Astrid
  • Fronteira, Inês
  • Jamieson, Margaret
  • Murauskienė, Liubovė
  • Palmer, William L.
  • Ricciardi, Walter
  • Samuel, Hadar
  • Scintee, Silvia Gabriela
  • Taube, Māris
  • Vrangbæk, Karsten
  • van Ginneken, Ewout

Abstract

We assessed challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented for mental health systems and the responses to these challenges in 14 countries in Europe and North America. Experts from each country filled out a structured questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions between January and June 2021. We conducted thematic analysis to investigate the qualitative responses to open-ended questions, and we summarized the responses to closed-ended survey items on changes in telemental health policies and regulations. Findings revealed that many countries grappled with the rising demand for mental health services against a backdrop of mental health provider shortages and challenges responding to workforce stress and burnout. All countries in our sample implemented new policies or initiatives to strengthen mental health service delivery – with more than two-thirds investing to bolster their specialized mental health care sector. There was a universal shift to telehealth to deliver a larger portion of mental health services in all 14 countries, which was facilitated by changes in national regulations and policies; 11 of the 14 participating countries relaxed regulations and 10 of 14 countries made changes to reimbursement policies to facilitate telemental health care. These findings provide a first step to assess the long-term challenges and re-organizational effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health systems in Europe and North America.

Suggested Citation

  • Cummings, Janet R. & Zhang, Xinyue & Gandré, Coralie & Morsella, Alisha & Shields-Zeeman, Laura & Winkelmann, Juliane & Allin, Sara & Augusto, Gonçalo Figueiredo & Cascini, Fidelia & Cserháti, Zoltán , 2023. "Challenges facing mental health systems arising from the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from 14 European and North American countries," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:136:y:2023:i:c:s016885102300163x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104878
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, P.S. & Demler, O. & Kessler, R.C., 2002. "Adequacy of treatment for serious mental illness in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(1), pages 92-98.
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