Mental Health Insights Five Years After the Pandemic

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health remains a pressing global concern, with heightened awareness of its long-lasting psychological and emotional impact. In Mexico, 3.6 million adults suffer from depression; of these, 1% are severe cases, reveals a study conducted by the Psychiatric Care Services (SAP) of the SSA. Experts emphasize that the psychological effects of the pandemic are still evident as society navigates its recovery, with changes in eating habits, sleep patterns, difficulties in the social core, an increase in the consumption of psychoactive substances, and violent acts. 

In 2024, 303,356 individuals were treated for mental health conditions, according to the National Commission for Mental Health and Addictions (CONASAMA), with anxiety affecting 52.8% and depression 25.1% of the patients. Depression has become a significant concern in Mexico, affecting 20% of the population, compared to the pre-pandemic figure of 9.1%, says Edilberto Peña de León, Director General, CISNE, to MBN. The most significant impact has been felt by young adults aged 20 to 29 and adults aged 30 to 49. Notably, depression is also prevalent among individuals aged 60 and above, particularly among women.

The pandemic's psychological toll can also reflect on how healthcare workers and individuals in high-pressure sectors have experienced a rise in burnout syndrome, while those who endured extreme isolation, losses, or severe illnesses have reported higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2023, Juan Manuel Quijada, Director General, SAP, noted that some medical professionals who were on the front lines of care presented symptoms such as suicidal behavior and addictions. Before the pandemic, INEGI recorded 7,223 suicides in 2019. Since then, the numbers have increased, with 9,072 suicides registered in 2023.

For children, prolonged confinement resulted in developmental and mental health issues, disruptions to life plans and increased vulnerability to domestic violence, rising homicide rates, and teenage pregnancies. In the 2020-2021 school year, 5.2 million students did not enroll due to COVID-19-related reasons or lack of resources. During the first half of 2021, 129,020 cases of domestic violence were recorded, a 24% increase compared to the same period the previous year, reversing the downward trend in this crime. In 2020, there were 373,661 births to adolescent mothers, of which 8,876 were children born to girls under the age of 14.

Meanwhile, UNAM reported that students who faced financial difficulties showed higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicidal behavior. Reduced family income also correlated with increased violence and lower social support. The study underscored the need to address economic adversity as a key driver of mental health issues, violence, and substance abuse, as the pandemic worsened these inequalities. 

Science has also identified the presence of short- and long-term neurological and psychiatric symptoms because of COVID-19. This infection causes intense inflammatory syndrome in neurological tissue as well as in other organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Seventy percent of people with COVID-19 experience at least one symptom after infection, such as loss of smell and taste, explains SAP, and 25 percent experience cognitive impairment. It can also lead to difficulties in concentration, memory, language, and cognitive functions, as well as anxiety, depression, and emotional and behavioral dysregulation with neurodegenerative causes.

Given the growing public awareness of mental health, Mexico has seen a decline in the stigma associated with seeking psychological support. This shift has been accompanied by greater access to mental health services, driven in part by the expanded availability of online therapy and telemedicine. In 2024, the Mexico City Congress approved a proposal to amend the General Health Law, aiming to promote mental health awareness and improve access to service, reports MBN. Meanwhile, Clara Brugada's administration transformed the Institute for the Care and Prevention of Addictions into the Institute of Mental Health and Addictions, constructed a 24-hour clinic, and is implementing programs focused on depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention.

Companies have also introduced emotional wellness programs, mental health days, and flexible working hours to alleviate stress. There is a significant gap between the demand for mental healthcare and the resources available, says Andrea Campos, CEO, Yara, for MBN. Yara emerged during the pandemic and focuses on mental health.  AI can help bridge this gap by providing support to those who need it, despite the shortage of human professionals or lack of resources, adds Campos.