THE OUTBREAK OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 a psychological perspective

The 2019 pandemic has been not only a biological pandemic but also a psychological–cultural pandemic. This study evaluates the impact of mental health on the general population, stakeholders, and how the psychological factors have important consequences in creating public health rules.

To prevent unconscious cognitive biases or to anticipate reactions from the community, we found that catering to cognitive elements is essential in the creation of public health procedures. Following our assessment, the expert in the mental health fields and in the social sciences should be included in the committee and decision-making group, both at the national and local levels.

We used literature created before the pandemic and research developed during the outbreak. Additionally, we completed this review with an analysis of individual interviews and observations from welfare policies and managerial practices during the epidemic.

This book aims to be a valuable tool for public health managers and Leaders in addressing a national health crisis. Experts in the psychosocial field can find in this document an exciting analysis of the correlation between cognitive biases and populations behaviours during an emergency. Finally, the public would have some ideas on risks and possible long-term psychological consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, with suggestions on well-being protective elements for protecting their mental health fitness.

Daniele Luzzo has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master's Degree in Public Health Management. He is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in public and psychiatric hospitals. Since 2010, is providing technical advice to improve the global well-being of international organizations personnel in high-risk environments. He has offered managerial and technical advice for UN DPKO, UNOG, UNDSS, OECD, UNHCR during mass emergencies like: Ivory Coast evacuation (2011), Nigeria bomb attack (2011), Somalia bomb blast (2013), South Sudan civil attack (2014), Ebola outbreak (2014), Haiti hurricane (2016), Mexico earthquake (2017), Covid outbreak (2019), Ethiopia war (2021), Sudan coup (2021).

He is the author and co-author of books and publications on Gifted Children Emotional Processes.