Why is it important to take an interest in the mental health of the population?

Mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, are among the most common health issues, affecting many people at different times in their lives and for different reasons. Even without a diagnosed mental disorder, people can experience emotional and psychological difficulties that can adversely affect their quality of life. Population studies such as Specchio help to assess mental health and its determinants. The results of these studies can help guide public policy and healthcare professionals, with the aim of establishing risk prevention and promotion strategies to improve the mental health of the population.

• An overview of recent observations

The upheavals associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may have had acute and even lasting effects on people's mental health. In a recent article published in the Journal of Psychiatric Researchresearchers from the Population Epidemiology Unit looked at the mental health of the population of Geneva during and after the third wave of the pandemic (February to June 2021).

By comparing these data with those available in Switzerland during the period prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the study showed that, at the end of this third wave, the prevalence of psychological distress was close to pre-pandemic levels. Rates of depression, anxiety and loneliness were highest at the start of the third wave and fell between February and June 2021, an observation that could be linked to the relaxation of measures to limit the spread of infections in Switzerland.

In addition, analysis of the data revealed factors already known to influence psychological distress, such as being younger, being female, being a single parent and being unemployed. The study also highlighted other factors more specific to the pandemic context: having changed working hours, having lost one's job in the last six months, perceiving greater severity and contagiousness of COVID-19, and reporting persistent symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (post COVID).

• What next?

These results indicate the need for additional mental health support during periods of health crisis such as the one we have recently experienced. However, these data also suggest that, in general, people seem to have adapted relatively quickly to the changing context. These observations underline the need to monitor the mental health of the population and to carry out a more comprehensive analysis of protective and risk factors, whether or not the context is one of crisis.

With this in mind, and thanks to the participation of thousands of people, the Specchio study will examine in particular how demographic, psycho-social and other factors more closely related to general health interact to explain changes in the mental health of Geneva's population over time.

Find out more about Specchio