Clinical Outcome in Persons with Severe Mental Disorders Attending a Mental Health Day Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Studies assessing the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations highlight the emergence of mental health difficulties, especially if a mental health disorder is already present. Patients with severe mental illnesses (SMIs) may be even more vulnerable to the psychosocial effects of the pandemic. However, little is known regarding the possible impact of the pandemic on SMI patients supported by community-based mental health day centers. Methods: A two-year prospective study comprising 29 individuals with SMI was conducted by the Skitali Mental Health Day Center in Ioannina, Northwest Greece. The described group of examined patients consisted mainly of psychotic patients (65.5%). Patients were assessed using the Health of Nations Outcome Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning scale, and scores prior to and after the onset of the pandemic were compared. Results: The results indicated that participants did not present any significant decline in their overall clinical status during the COVID-19 pandemic and the national lockdown measures. Conclusions: This finding is relevant because previous research has shown that the pandemic may negatively impact adherence to treatment and service attendance and that the symptomatology of patients with SMIs may further deteriorate. It is suggested that the operation of mental health day centers during collective stressful events should be preserved, but further research is needed to evaluate their role in maintaining continuity of care during such events.