In front of several ministers and health officials, the WHO pointed out Thursday the management of mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Everyone is affected in one way or another," said this global health institution.
The coronavirus pandemic will have a "long-term" impact on the mental health of populations, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday at a meeting in Athens of ministers and health officials .
"From anxiety linked to the transmission of the virus, to the psychological impact of confinements and self-isolation, to the consequences linked to unemployment, financial difficulties and social exclusion, (...), everything the world is affected in one way or another, "said the WHO, in a statement.
The pandemic will have a "long-term and far-reaching impact," the organization warns.
Stress linked to confinements and inequalities
"We are talking about a key component of our health. It requires action now" from governments, urged Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the opening in Athens of a two-day forum of ministers from the European region of WHO, which includes 53 countries. "We must speak openly about the stigma that accompanies mental health," he added, in the presence of a dozen ministers, the others following the meeting by videoconference. For Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, "there is no excuse for falling behind".
The WHO believes that "it is not just the contamination, or the fear of being contaminated that has affected the mental health of the population".
But "the stress caused by socio-economic inequalities and the effects of quarantine, confinement, the closure of schools and workplaces have had enormous consequences," underlines the WHO.
"Fundamental human rights"
"The pandemic shook the world. More than four million lives have been lost in the world, income has been destroyed, families and communities have been separated, businesses have been declared bankrupt ...", recalls the Director of WHO in Europe, Dr Hans Kluge.
“Mental health and well-being must be seen as fundamental human rights,” he continues, calling on states to rethink access to healthcare.
Among the recommendations of the WHO are the strengthening of mental health services in general, the improvement of access to care via digital technology, the increase of psychological support services in schools, universities, on site. work and for people working on the front lines in the fight against Covid-19.