Impact of pandemic on mental health in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs)

Poverty and mental health Extreme poverty, measured as earning less than USD 1 90 a day by the World Bank, is accompanied by hunger, overcrowded living conditions, low accessibility and affordability of health services, limited educational and livelihood opportunities, and adverse life events associated with socioeconomic vulnerabilities Over time an awareness in the field of mental health recognizes that this vicious cycle of poverty and mental ill health needs to be viewed from human rights perspective Rise in mental health needs during COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 is merely one symptom of the dysfunctional relationship between humans and nature, which is manifested through climate change, loss of biodiversity, habitat fragmentation, and domestication of wild animals (UNEP, 2020) The results of a Chinese study reviewing the effect of COVID-19 mitigation plans on mental health led Wuhan's Government officials to develop a multi-layered response that involved forming psychological intervention teams for key populations that are likely to be impacted by exposure to COVID-19 and its adverse risk factors (Kang et al , 2020)