AS CICATRIZES INVISÍVEIS DA COVID-19: IMPACTOS DURADOUROS NA SAÚDE MENTAL E BEM-ESTAR
AS CICATRIZES INVISÍVEIS DA COVID-19: IMPACTOS DURADOUROS NA SAÚDE MENTAL E BEM-ESTAR
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.781112524035
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Palavras-chave: COVID-19, saúde mental, impactos psicológicos, bem-estar, resiliência
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Keywords: COVID-19, mental health, psychological impacts, well-being, resilience
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Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to mental health and well-being, exposing social and structural inequalities that amplified its psychological impacts. Among the most affected groups were university students, children, women, and healthcare professionals, who faced a range of psychological and social difficulties during and after the pandemic. This study aimed to critically review the literature on the long-term psychological impacts of COVID-19, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations, and to identify effective strategies to mitigate these effects. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and SciELO databases, considering articles published between 2021 and 2024. Keywords included “COVID-19,” “mental health,” “psychological impacts,” and “well-being.” Articles in English and Portuguese were included, prioritizing open-access studies, literature reviews, empirical, and longitudinal studies. The findings indicated a significant increase in anxiety, depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Students suffered due to remote learning and social isolation, while children and adolescents faced negative impacts on their emotional and social development. Women reported higher levels of mental distress attributed to accumulated responsibilities during the pandemic. Healthcare professionals experienced elevated burnout levels associated with work overload and inadequate support. On the other hand, interventions such as community support, relaxation programs, and technology-based solutions emerged as effective means to alleviate these psychological impacts. This study highlights the urgency of inclusive public policies and targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, reinforcing the need for integrated and sustainable strategies. Understanding the "invisible scars" left by COVID-19 is essential to develop approaches that promote resilience and mitigate the psychological effects of future health crises.
- Mateus Alfredo Duarte
- Paulo Eduardo Guedes Dornelles
- Arthur Freitas Vasco
- Luiz Paulo Leite Ferreira
- Marco Antônio Ferreira Silva
- Giovanna Gianni de Oliveira Lacerda
- Leandro Navarro Queiroz
- Juliana Rezende Soares
- Marcelo Henrique Pereira Pinto
- Valderi Pires da Silva
- Maria Eduarda da Silva Ramos
- Paulo Henrique Siqueira