Canadian Researchers Say "Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 Not at Concerning Level"

McGill University Study in Canada... "Insufficient Evidence of Negative Impact from COVID-19"
"Some Deterioration Observed in Women, Elderly, and Sexual Minorities"

Canadian researchers have announced findings that the negative impact of COVID-19 on people's mental health is not as severe as previously feared. Contrary to rumors and fake news that have circulated without evidence and fueled fear, the mental health damage caused by COVID-19 is not serious enough to warrant excessive anxiety.

On the 8th (local time), the British newspaper The Guardian reported on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, citing a paper published by a research team from McGill University in Canada in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). According to the report, the pandemic had a 'minimal' effect on mental health.

The research team analyzed a total of 137 studies, three-quarters of which focused on adults, and most of the studies were conducted in upper-middle-income countries.

Professor Brett Thombs, the lead author of the paper, pointed out that "many of the stories circulating among the public rely on low-quality research and personal testimonies." He explained, "Claims that the pandemic has severely worsened mental health are mainly based on individual studies containing brief information from specific situations, locations, and time points."

However, the research team added that women experienced increased anxiety and depression due to the pandemic, and symptoms of depression slightly worsened among the elderly, university students, and sexual minorities.

Professor Peter Tyrer of Imperial College supported McGill University's findings, noting the positive impact of the pandemic by stating, "When there is a common enemy, social cohesion strengthens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.