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Date

2022

Abstract

This community project explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, particularly focusing on depression, and introduces an intervention in the form of a pamphlet distributed at Newtown Primary Care. The pamphlet addresses individuals experiencing worsened depression due to the pandemic, regardless of COVID-19 infection status, and includes the PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 screening questionnaires for self-assessment. Insights from interviews with Newtown Primary Care were instrumental in designing the pamphlet.

Results reveal that the pandemic has substantially affected patients' mental health, increasing the need for resources. Patients diagnosed with pre-existing depression experienced worsening symptoms due increased stressors due to the pandemic compounded by current socioeconomic and health problems.

The pamphlet advises patients to take PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 tests and share results during primary care visits for further discussion. It offers mental health resources such as hotlines, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Hotline and National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Notably, the pamphlet highlights Nuvance Health's COVID Recovery Program for lingering post-COVID symptoms that impact mental health.

Ultimately, the pamphlet seeks to bridge gaps in mental health support, encourage and empower patients to seek help, and raise awareness about available resources with the aim of improving mental health outcomes.

Clinical Site

Newtown Primary Care

Keywords

Public Health, COVID-19, Depression, Mental Health

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Disciplines

Health Psychology | Human Factors Psychology | Medical Education | Primary Care

Addressing Post –COVID-19 Pandemic Depression

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