Mental health problems in the general population during and after the first lockdown phase due to the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic: Rapid review of multi-wave studies

Abstract
Aims. The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and the lockdown response are assumed to have increased
mental health problems in general populations compared to pre-pandemic times. The aim of
this paper is to review studies on the course of mental health problems during and after the
first lockdown phase.
Methods. We conducted a rapid review of multi-wave studies in general populations with
time points during and after the first lockdown phase. Repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that utilised validated instruments were included. The main outcome was
whether indicators of mental health problems have changed during and after the first lockdown phase. The study was registered with PROSPERO No. CRD42020218640.
Results. Twenty-three studies with 56 indicators were included in the qualitative review.
Studies that reported data from pre-pandemic assessments through lockdown indicated an
increase in mental health problems. During lockdown, no uniform trend could be identified.
After lockdown, mental health problems decreased slightly.
Conclusions. As mental health care utilisation indicators and data on suicides do not suggest
an increase in demand during the first lockdown phase, we regard the increase in mental
health problems as general distress that is to be expected during a global health crisis.
Several methodological, pandemic-related, response-related and health policy-related factors
need to be considered when trying to gain a broader perspective on the impact of the first
wave of the pandemic and the first phase of lockdown on general populations’ mental health.