COVID-19: Guterres urges focus on mental health issues

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges for attention to be paid to mental health issues caused by the global COVID-19 epidemic.

Antonio Guterres said in a video message that the coronavirus epidemic is not only attacking our physical health but also increasing our psychological problems.

#COVID19 is not only attacking our physical health; it is also increasing psychological suffering.

Mental health services are an essential part of all government responses to #coronavirus.

They must be expanded and fully funded.https://t.co/AOoxqkMJBb pic.twitter.com/j0KpYfPNkF

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 14, 2020

He warned that even after the COVID-19 was brought under control, frustration, anxiety and stress would continue to affect people and populations.

In a tweet, Guterres said that, “Mental health problems are some of the greatest causes of misery in our world – often exacerbated by stigma & discrimination.”

“As we recover from #COVID19, we must provide more mental health services to communities & ensure mental health is included in universal health coverage,” he added.

Mental health problems are some of the greatest causes of misery in our world – often exacerbated by stigma & discrimination.

As we recover from #COVID19, we must provide more mental health services to communities & ensure mental health is included in universal health coverage.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 14, 2020