COVID-19 linked to increased mental health risks, especially for unvaccinated and older adults

A large-scale study involving over 18 million people in England revealed a significant association between COVID-19 diagnosis and subsequent mental health issues, with particularly elevated risks for those unvaccinated at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis.

The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, examined data from three cohorts: those who had COVID-19 before vaccines were available, vaccinated, and unvaccinated groups. It found that rates of mental illnesses, including depression and serious mental illness, were markedly elevated during the first four weeks following a COVID-19 diagnosis compared with rates of mental illness for those who never had COVID-19.

Notably, the study subgroup analyses suggested stronger associations in older age groups and in men. The association of COVID-19 with mental illnesses did not differ markedly between ethnic groups. The connection to older adults highlights the increased vulnerability of seniors to mental health challenges in the wake of COVID-19 infection.

The severity of COVID-19 also played a crucial role. Individuals hospitalized with the virus showed substantially higher rates of mental illness diagnoses compared with those who were not hospitalized. For instance, in the pre-vaccine availability cohort, the risk of depression was 16 times higher for hospitalized patients in the first four weeks post-diagnosis.

Vaccination emerged as a potential protective factor. The study found that the incidence of mental illnesses was lower in the vaccinated cohort compared with both the unvaccinated and pre-vaccine availability groups. This suggests that vaccination may help mitigate the adverse mental health effects of COVID-19.

The researchers followed some participants for up to two years post-diagnosis, providing insights into the long-term mental health implications of the virus. They observed that in the pre-vaccine availability era, the incidence of mental illnesses remained elevated for up to a year following severe COVID-19. 

Venexia Walker, PhD, senior research fellow in epidemiology at Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences (PHS) and one of the study’s lead authors, said: “Our results highlight the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in the general population and particularly among those with mental illnesses, who may be at higher risk of both SARS-CoV-2 infection and adverse outcomes following COVID-19.”