Mdedge Psychcast

Roger S. McIntyre, MD, returns the Psychcast, this time to talk with host Lorenzo Norris, MD, about the mental health hazards of COVID-19 and what clinicians can do to help protect patients. Dr. McIntyre is professor of psychiatry and pharmacology, and head of the mood disorders psychopharmacology unit at the University Health Network at the University of Toronto. He disclosed receiving research or grants from the Stanley Medical Research Institute and the CIHR/GACD/National Natural Science Foundation of China. Dr. McIntyre also disclosed receiving consultation/speaker fees from several pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Norris has no disclosures.  Take-home points Uncertainty tied to the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to undermine mental health and exacerbate problems for those with mental illness. U.S. suicide rates, which were already rising after the Great Recession of 2007-2009, are likely to climb further because of the impact of COVID-19. Clinicians can take steps to prevent some of the negative mental health