The Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Psychological Well-Being

Kryzsko Commons Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota

Outline: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 485,243,022 reported cases of Covid-19 and 6,137,553 deaths from the beginning of the epidemic to March 2022. Covid-19 has impacted individuals' psychological well-being in many ways. Mapping these effects can create awareness of the impact that Covid-19 has had on the psychological well-being of individuals and populations and can allow us to palliate these negative mental health effects. Research Design: Literature review was conducted to understand the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on stress, isolation, and coping mechanisms among college students, British South Asian gay men, healthcare workers, and Black and Latinx people. In this study I analyze secondary data to map these mental health effects among these groups. 40 Aims of the Study: In this presentation I map the ways in which Covid-19 has impacted individuals' mental health, how they are coping with and dealing with stress, and experienced loneliness due to the pandemic. Based on these results, I argue that funding may be needed to prevent and help these mental health issues. I also argue that raising more awareness of the mental health sequels of the pandemic is needed. In terms of interventions, I note that students and employees could benefit from more time off for mental health and or having knowledge of available mental health resources.