Overview of publications on mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: scoping review

Abstract

The aim was to map the scientific literature on the mental health of the population in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scoping review carried out by searching six electronic databases, electronic search engines and through the references of selected articles. Complete articles were included, in Portuguese, English or Spanish on mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles that were published more than 1 year ago were excluded because there was no relationship with the beginning of the pandemic. 48 studies published in the year 2020 (100%) were mapped, 45 (93.75%) in English, 27 (56.25%) were from China; 30 (62.5%) were cross-sectional studies; 30 (62.5%) had evidence level IV. The data were organized into three themes: Mental health of the general population and vulnerable groups related to the impacts of the pandemic; Mental health of health professionals; Mental health strategies in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge of the mental health impacts of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic requires strategies for coping during and after the pandemic. Collaborative, multicenter, and interdisciplinary research is suggested to deepen the understanding of the health implications of the current crisis.