HHS Targets Long Covid’s Mental Health Issues 2023

An project announced Wednesday by the Biden administration focuses on long-term Covid patients’ mental health issues.

Long-term Covid can cause anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, exhaustion, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Biden administration’s Health and Human Services Department. The HHS wants to assist doctors identify and manage long-term Covid patients’ mental health issues.

“Long COVID can affect mental health and cause physical symptoms. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated, “It can be very difficult for a person, whether they are impacted themselves or they are a caregiver for someone who is affected.”

“This advisory helps raise awareness, especially among primary care practitioners and clinicians who often treat patients with Long COVID,” he noted.

An guideline from the administration lists lengthy Covid’s mental health issues and symptoms to help doctors manage and diagnose people. Primary care clinicians can use it to refer patients to mental health services and peer support groups.

Chronically ill Medical practitioners struggle with therapy

Due to social isolation, financial stability, and chronic sickness, extended Covid might damage mental health, according to the HHS guideline. The advise also emphasized that a person’s area, job, and access to treatment all increase the effects of extended Covid, especially for minorities and LGBTQ people.

Long-term Covid symptoms are decreasing, according to KFF statistics. In January, that amount was little over 10% of individuals who had extended Covid. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered that about 20% of US people had long Covid symptoms.

The HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommendation also revealed that those with a history of anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression before Covid were at increased risk for long-term Covid.

Six months after Covid-19 symptoms began, over 40% of persons with extended Covid experienced depression. At half-year, 35% of adults felt anxiety.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine remarked, “Providers need help understanding what Long COVID is and how to treat it.”

SAMHSA chief Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon stated that “people with Long COVID need to be properly identified and, as needed, referred for treatment for mental health conditions.”

The Biden administration’s lengthy Covid strategy has been criticized for being opaque and slow. However, Levine recently stated that the HHS will launch extended Covid clinical studies later this year.