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The 20th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry has moved to 10-13 March 2021

WPA Archive

Jun 05, 2020

The 20th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry has moved to 10-13 March 2021

By WPA Secretariat

The impact of COVID-19 on many areas of our lives is indisputable. All over the world we have seen strict limitations imposed on social contact…

The coronavirus infection has created new circumstances globally and has posed important questions some of which have to be faced urgently. Man standing at podium George N Christodoulou While the importance of measures to avoid the spread of the epidemic (that has regretfully developed into a pandemic) cannot be emphasised more, some of those imposed have created circumstances that can produce serious psychosocial problems. For example we know from research carried out during economic crises (for review see 1) that unemployment is closely associated with suicide. Now, the inevitable lockdown that sooner or later was implemented almost everywhere, created unemployment. It has to be seen whether this has contributed to the suicide rates but this possibility appears likely. This pandemic has the proportions of a real Disaster. We have suggested that in addition to the two classical Disaster types, a third category should be added, namely Economic Disasters (2). We are now proposing a fourth category, Biological Disasters.

WPA Archive

Jun 02, 2020

Management of the Psychosocial Consequences of COVID-19 infection in Greece

By George N. Christodoulou\

This pandemic has the proportions of a real Disaster. We have suggested that in addition to the two classical Disaster types, a third category should…

COVID-19 puts our Social Contract to the Test

WPA Archive

Apr 30, 2020

COVID-19 puts our Social Contract to the Test

By ~

The COVID-19 crisis is severely testing the social contract, the implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits by sacrificing some…

With the onset of COVID-19, mental health services around the globe are experiencing their own vulnerability and limitations. Patients with mental illnesses are being triggered by social distancing, isolation, and the loss or fear of losing jobs. They may become more anxious, angry, stressed, agitated, and withdrawn during the pandemic outbreak or whilst in quarantine. Due to the pandemic, only the most affected patients (i.e. suicidal, psychotic or delirious) can access public health facilities through emergency wards. Here, COVID-19 protection measures reduce service efficiency. Many patients currently avoid hospitalisations due to fear of corona contamination; nevertheless, they still need professional help. In such situations a “Home-Telepsychiatry” model may offer continuous psychological support and necessary medical treatment despite isolation and quarantine.

WPA Archive

Apr 28, 2020

Telepsychiatry in the Time of COVID-19: A Potential Solution to a Global Issue

By Davor Mucic, M.D. Launcher of Telemental Health Section (European Psychiatric Association); re-launcher and board member of Section on Informatic (World Psychiatric Association); Editor in chief on Edorium Journal of Psychiatry

In such situations a “Home-Telepsychiatry” model may offer continuous psychological support and necessary medical treatment despite isolation and quarantine. Telepsychiatry is the oldest of all…