The impact of the health crisis on people's mental health should not be underestimated, said Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Health Minister Paulette Lenert during their press conference.
Checking in with professionals from the sector, this impression can be confirmed: we are generally doing less well during the pandemic. Children and young adults are primarily suffering from increased eating disorders as well as OCD and anxiety, say psychiatrists.
Their media consumption has also increased during the lockdown. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when they use their devices to stay in touch with friends when meeting in person isn't possible. However, it is important for their development to enable real life meetups as much as possible, even if outside and just between two people.
Not everyone who is not doing well needs psychological or psychiatric help, says Jean-Marc Cloos, medical director of the psychiatric department at the Hôpitaux Robert Schuman.
"Some people are able to adapt, to adapt well even, and to deal with some situations in a positive manner. Others will slowly exhaust themselves; this can go all the way to a burnout. It also depends on how much you are affected by the virus. I can imagine many people with financial worries developing depression or being at risk of depression. The same goes for those who are under constant stress due to the virus, health sector workers for instance, who will reach the point of exhaustion. We are also looking out for our own staff to ensure they don't develop mental health issues."
There is a slight increase in cases being treated throughout the psychiatric services and hospitals.
The main issue, however, are psychiatric patients who have tested positive for Covid-19. Isolating them is very difficult and requires additional staff.
The health crisis has put the spotlight on chronic staffing issues that have plagued the sector for a while.
