Identification and Management of Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions Associated with Long COVID

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is available as an open-access article. The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) that has affected billions of people globally. By May 2023, countries across the world had reported over 767 million COVID-19 cases in the United States, over 104 million cases and 1.1 million deaths had occurred. Some people who get COVID-19 experience long-term effects from the virus and health problems that can last or emerge weeks, months, or even years after infection. These post-COVID conditions (PCC) are most commonly known as Long COVID. PCC that are primarily a result of the viral infection are also referred to as post-acute sequela of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC). From the start of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), primary care providers have been on the front line of care for individuals experiencing COVID-19 and have played a critical role in increasing our understanding of the disease. While the number of new cases continues to decrease, at least 10 percent of individuals may experience one or more symptoms of Long COVID. Consequently, primary care providers can benefit from greater familiarity with Long COVID, and in particular, with its mental health conditions and related symptoms. These symptoms can include depression, anxiety, difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as "brain fog"), headache, sleep problems, and psychosis. In addition to these symptoms and conditions, pandemic-related stress and social isolation can increase the likelihood of alcohol consumption, substance use, and related deaths. This advisory discusses the epidemiology of mental health symptoms and conditions of Long COVID and provides evidence-based resources for their treatment. While Long COVID also affects children and adolescents, most research to date has focused on adults. The guidance in this document reflects this existing knowledge base. This course on mental health symptoms associated with Long COVID is designed for clinical social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their expertise with mental health symptoms associated with Long COVID. The course material includes a literature review of research. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading peer reviewed research-based articles for continuing education is that they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: SAMHSA Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding mental health symptoms associated with Long COVID. Specifically, a professional will: Describe mental health symptoms and conditions associated with Long COVID. Recognize inequities in Long COVID risk and access to health care. Identify assessments for mental health symptoms associated with Long COVID. Citation: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023, June). Identification and Management of Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions Associated with Long COVID. www.samhsa.gov.