Impacts on Mental Health and Psychological Interventions related to 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 the physical health, it also brings 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 of impacts on mental health and psychological interventions related to the new coronavirus pandemic. A review of the technical-scientific literature from different countries was carried out in order to summarize recent developments linked to the COVID-19. Results are presented on the impacts of the pandemic on mental health, identification of priority groups and guidance on psychological interventions, considering particularities of the general population and health professionals. Finally, there is a discussion of both potential and challenge for the practice of psychology in the Brazilian context across the pandemic.