As the one-year anniversary of the start of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic approaches, it’s critical to recognize the negative impact it’s having on mental health on an individual, societal, and public health level.

The current study examines COVID 19’s direct and indirect psychological effects on the general public and vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and the disabled, healthcare professionals, people with pre‑existing mental health issues, and those infected by COVID‑19, homeless people and refugees.

In the elderly, mental health issues, particularly depressive symptoms are widespread. Because mental health care providers have shifted to telemedicine in the COVID-19 era, this age group appears to be disproportionately affected, as most elderly people not only have limited access to or lack the ability to use smartphones and internet services, but also are unable to reach their outpatient clinics to obtain their monthly prescriptions due to on-going mass quarantines and public transportation restrictions.

As a result, there is a feeling of a lack of care and pre-existing psychiatric symptoms are exacerbated. Apart from that, when hospitalization is required, the hardship of social isolation is exacerbated because most hospitals in afflicted areas do not accept visits.

Similarly, older adults without pre-existing psychiatric disorders appear to be especially vulnerable to developing mental health issues, as they are the most vulnerable age group for life-threatening complications and death from COVID-19, especially those with underlying health conditions, and are currently very concerned about being infected with the virus and not having access to appropriate care.

COVID-19 has been portrayed in the public media as an elderly disease, resulting in social stigma, negative stereotypes, and age-based discrimination against older people, with consequences ranging from increased isolation to violations of their right to health and life on an equal footing with others, causing additional distress not only to them but also to their families and caregivers.

Children’s mental health development appears extremely vulnerable in the COVID-19 era, due to their rapidly developing and sensitivity to environmental adversities brain architecture, as children are exposed to chronic stress conditions, such as forced isolation from peers due to social distancing and shelter at home laws, and worries about the health and financial status of their relatives.

Furthermore, because the majority of mental health conditions begin in adolescence and young adulthood, people in these age groups appear to be more vulnerable to developing mental health symptoms as a result of on-going stressors like school and university closures, loss of routine and social connection, and diminished economic prospects.

Loneliness, in particular, has been linked to mental health issues like depression symptoms in girls and social anxiety in boys. Furthermore, the duration of loneliness appeared to be a predictor of future mental health difficulties, as children who had been placed in forced isolation or quarantine were five times more likely to need mental health services and had greater degrees of loneliness.