Mental health and psychological interventions during the new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

Abstract

The new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is the greatest public health emergency facing the international community in decades. Aside from the concerns related to physical health, it also brings up concerns related to the psychological distress that the general population and health professionals may experience. The aim of the current study was to systematize knowledge on the impacts of the new coronavirus pandemic on mental health, as well as on psychological interventions related to the disease. A review of the technical-scientific literature from different countries was carried out in order to summarize recent developments linked to the COVID-19. The results presented refer to the impacts of the pandemic on mental health, identification of priority groups, and guidance on psychological interventions, also considering the particularities of the general population and health professionals. Finally, we discuss both the potential and the challenges of practicing psychology in Brazil during the pandemic.