A new study estimates that cases of depression rose by 53m globally as a consequence of the pandemic, 28% above pre-pandemic levels
has taken a devastating toll on the physical health of millions of people. But the mental-health effects could prove even more enduring. A, a medical journal, attempts to quantify the impact of covid-19 on mental health and wellbeing around the world. The authors estimate that cases of depression rose by 53m globally as a consequence of the pandemic, 28% above pre-pandemic levels; cases of anxiety increased by 76m, a 26% rise.
They found that the pandemic has affected women’s mental health more than men’s. Of the additional 53m cases of depression and 76m cases of anxiety estimated for 2020, roughly two-thirds were in women. Household responsibilities taken on during lockdown may be partly to blame. A British survey conducted in April and May 2020 found that women were spending roughly 50% more time on housework and nearly twice as much time on childcare as men.
Troubled regions seemed to suffer most. According to the authors’ estimates, cases of depression increased by 37% in North Africa and the Middle East, more than any other region. In the case of anxiety, South Asia saw the biggest increase, with an estimated jump of 35%. Citizens of South-East Asia, East Asia and Oceania proved most resilient.
There are some limitations to the study. Most of the data came from rich countries, which means estimates for poorer parts of the world may be imprecise. Furthermore, the data underlying the researchers’ model was in most cases based on self-reported symptoms rather than medical diagnoses. Meanwhile, other mental illnesses, such as eating disorders, which may have also been affected by the pandemic, were not included.
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