As millions of people are surrounded by deaths of loved ones, a mounting number of COVID-19 infections, isolation due to lockdown measures, and loss of jobs, the United Nations health experts said a global mental health crisis is about to happen. 

In a paper, titled COVID-19 And The Need for Action On Mental Health, the organization said women and children are now at a greater risk of physical and mental risk as increased violence and abuse were reported amid the pandemic. Many people have also increased their dependence on substances like alcohol and prohibited drugs as the pandemic continues to ravage the world. 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health already cost the global economy more than $1 trillion per year. At the time, depression has already affected 264 million people worldwide. Half of the mental health patients are 14 years old and above and suicide has been the second leading cause of deaths for people ages 15 to 29. 

Devora Kestel from the World Health Organization agreed to the UN's finding, citing surveys that showed a 35% increase in the prevalence of distress In China, 60% in Iran, and 45% in the United States. Kestel added that there have been high levels of depression and anxiety (33%) in Ethiopia's Amhara Regional State. This was a three-fold increase compared to the period before COVID-19. 

Another survey from Canada showed that 20% of the population, aged 15 to 49, have increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. 

In its report, the UN highlighted another paper from The Lancet Commission On Global Mental Health And Sustainable Development. The latter found that many people who coped well against anxiety and depression are less likely to recover now since the stressors remained to be active due to the pandemic. 

Kesel has therefore called for governments around the world to also prioritize mental health in their response against the pandemic. Further isolation and increasing uncertainties could only make the situation worst for those who are already suffering from mental health issues. 

The warning of the looming mental health crisis comes as the worldwide deaths due to the novel coronavirus reached more than 302,452 as of Thursday night. The United States still accounted for the most deaths at 85,898 or almost a third of the global death toll.  New York accounted for more than 15,000 deaths with additional 5,057 deaths suspected to be linked with the virus.  

Following the US are European countries - the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France. In Latin America, Brazil is shaping to become another global hotspot with 13,999 deaths.