Critical Actions for Mental Health Promotion

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on population mental health globally1-4, including rising rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and increases in suicidal thoughts and behaviours5-7. While the COVID-19 virus itself is associated with a number of mental health consequences, including anxiety disorders8,9, the decline in population mental health is predominantly a product of the secondary effects of the pandemic. These secondary effects largely operate through the social and structural determinants of mental health leading to widening inequities for sub-populations and groups who already experienced health and social inequities due to racism, exclusion, discrimination, and stigma.