Citation

Vacher C, Ho N, Skinner A, Robinson J, Freebairn L, Lee GY, Iorfino F, Prodan A, Song YJC, Occhipinti JA, Hickie IB. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(11).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph19116470

PMID

35682058

PMCID

PMC9180267

Abstract

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of populations and highlighted the limitations of mental health care systems. As the trajectory of the pandemic and the economic recovery are still uncertain, decision tools are needed to help evaluate the best interventions to improve mental health outcomes. We developed a system dynamics model that captures causal relationships among population, demographics, post-secondary education, health services, COVID-19 impact, and mental health outcomes. The study was conducted in the Australian state of Victoria. The model was calibrated using historical data and was stratified by age group and by geographic remoteness.

FINDINGS demonstrate that the most effective intervention combination includes economic, social, and health sector initiatives. Assertive post-suicide attempt care is the most impactful health sector intervention, but delaying implementation reduces the potency of its impact. Some evidence-based interventions, such as population-wide community awareness campaigns, are projected to worsen mental health outcomes when implemented on their own. Systems modelling offers a powerful decision-support tool to test alternative strategies for improving mental health outcomes in the Victorian context.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; mental health; Victoria/epidemiology; decision analysis; systems modelling; *COVID-19/epidemiology; *Mental Health; Pandemics/prevention & control