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The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching, negative impacts on health and well-being, particularly in population mental health. Mental health is strongly related to people鈥檚 social environment, and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this greatly. Many countries instituted shutdowns early in the pandemic restricting people鈥檚 movement both within and between countries. Shutdowns socially isolated people from one another and often led to poor mental health. The highest rates of mental distress occurred during time periods when .

Globally, environmental factors that protect against poor mental health such as steady employment, social connection, and access to health services all decreased during the pandemic. At the same time, . Now, more than two years into the pandemic, studies continue to show adverse and lingering .

In a new policy brief, Mental Health and COVID-19, the 乐鱼 体育鈥檚 Maternal Health Initiative explores the COVID-19 pandemic鈥檚 impact on the mental health of several especially vulnerable populations including adolescents and youth, pregnant people, and refugee and displaced persons. In addition, this brief details specific recommendations for policy makers and civil society to address the mental health impact of COVID-19 going forward.

Adolescents  and youth are particularly at-risk of developing mental health conditions, which they often carry into adulthood. There is evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of young people, resulting in various adverse health outcomes and risky health behaviors. The prevalence of clinical depression and anxiety more than doubled from to .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, suggest the added stressors of the pandemic have negatively impacted the health of parents, pregnant people, and children. Pregnant and post-partum people are already vulnerable to mental health challenges, and their . Globally, around . Increased isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty about how COVID-19 infection impacts pregnancy both contributed to the added stress and strain on pregnant people.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, active conflict, violence, and oppression have continued to displace people. People and families who are displaced face a multitude of stressors which impact their mental health. , as many have dealt with conflict, war, torture, and incarceration, while being forced from their homes and families. Those who experienced . Refugees and displaced people who are undocumented or temporarily documented, have insecure housing, and/or live in the street or asylum centers had .

Greater investments are necessary in data, research, and policy making focused on the significance of population mental health. Increasing financial investment in mental health related education, prevention, screening, and treatment is a critical step to address the drivers of population mental health among adolescents and youth, pregnant people, and refugee and displaced people.. In addition, policy makers and mental health programs must increase available resources and support services dedicated to the mental health of populations most at risk.