Perspectives on mental health services during the COVID-19 epidemic in Serbia

Abstract

World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Mental health strategies implemented due to the coronavirus epidemic must include the assessment of mental health status of people in different subpopulations influenced by the COVID-19 outbreak, identifying persons who are at high risk of manifesting behavior disorders, suicide attempt, and aggression in aim of providing appropriate mental health care interventions for those in need. The target population of these mental health strategies is categorized in four different groups: the most vulnerable people with mental health problems, isolated people with symptoms of atypical acute respiratory infection, individuals who have been in close contact with the previous two categories, and people affected by the preventive and restrictive measures.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; mental health