1. Mental Health Support for COVID-19; A Retrospective Report on the Psychosocial Response Strategy in Lagos, Nigeria
- Author
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Akin Osibogun, Chigozie Ekperechukwu, Adefemi A. Adeoye, Israel Owolabi, Yewande O. Oshodi, Olusegun Ogboye, Christopher Bode, Anne Ejiegbu, Gbonjubola Babalola, Adejoke Abiodun, Charles S. Umeh, Tolu Ajomale, Aduragbemi Samuel, Modupe Sokunbi, Babatunde Saka, Jaiyeola Kajero, Oluwatoyin Olusanya, Akin Abayomi, Chris Chiadika, Moyosore Anibaba, Hussein Abdur-Razzak, Azizat Lebimoyo, Bisola Adebayo, Ismael Abdus-Salam, Olurotimi Coker, Omotayo Francis Ajirotutu, Babatunde Fadipe, Oluyemisi Nyamali, Bolutife Oyatokun, Mofeyisope Akinyosoye, and Chizoba Fashanu
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Response strategy ,medicine ,Psychiatry ,Psychology ,Mental health ,Psychosocial - Abstract
Background : The COVID-19 pandemic has been described to have significant effects on the mental health and emotional well-being of people all over the world generally. This study aimed at describing the set up and functions of the psychosocial support service for the COVID-19 response in Lagos South West Nigeria.Methods: A retrospective and descriptive overview of the psychosocial support for covid-19 patients supported in Lagos, Nigeria over a four-month period. Remote interventions given included Psychological first aid, counselling, psycho pharmacology, and virtual support group sessions. Results: The Psychosocial care provided was a part of the Covid-19 outbreak response strategy in Lagos State, Nigeria. Over 43,000 support calls were made to Covid-19 positive persons; 1,316 hospitalised patients were supported remotely during isolation and more than half declined admission, opting to self-isolate at home instead. Psychosocial home care support group sessions and discharge support groups held. Liaison with all other thematic pillars of the response was key. Conclusion: A comprehensive multidisciplinary mental health and psychosocial support service is an integral part of the management strategy during the pandemic response. The Psychosocial support by the Lagos Covid-19 response presents a practical reproducible approach.
- Published
- 2020
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