Understanding the mental health impacts of biological disasters: Lessons from Taiwan's experience with COVID-19.

Journal: Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi

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Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Addiction Prevention, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Taiwan. Department of Community Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Department of Community Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: f.tw@yahoo.com.tw. Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: jjhua@seed.net.tw.

Abstract summary 

Biological disasters pose a growing challenge in the 21st century, significantly impacting global society. Taiwan has experienced such disasters, resulting in long-term consequences like loss of life, trauma, economic decline, and societal disruptions. Post-disaster, mental health issues such as fear, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress surge, accompanied by increased suicide rates. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (also called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) pandemic, recognized as a biological disaster, triggered lockdowns and quarantines in Taiwan, causing lifestyle changes, economic recession, and so on. These shifts may elevate uncertainty about the future, intensifying mental stress and leading to a rise in various mental illnesses. This article reviews mental health studies conducted in Taiwan during the pandemic, emphasizing the need to integrate this research for future preparedness and interventions regarding the mental health impacts of biological disasters, including COVID-19. Further research is essential to explore long-term effects, interventions, and generalizability.

Authors & Co-authors:  Chang Hsieh Hsu Wang Chou Huang

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : S0929-6646(24)00176-1
SSN : 0929-6646
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19);Depression;Disasters;Fear;Posttraumatic stress disorder;SARS-CoV-2;Suicide
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
Singapore