29 May- As part of its weekly mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and COVID-19 webinar series, the Mental Health and Substance Use Unit organized a virtual seminar on alcohol use and COVID-19. The webinar was hosted by Dr. Carmen Martinez, PAHO Subregional Mental Health Advisor for Central America and the Latin Caribbean, and Dr. Andrea Bruni, PAHO Subregional Mental Health Adviser for South America. 335 people were in attendance.
The seminar featured presentations by Dr. Maristela Monteiro, PAHO Senior Advisor on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and Marcela Tiburcio, Head of the Department of Social Sciences in Health for the National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz in Mexico, who presented on alcohol consumption, depression and stress during COVID-19 in Mexico.
Each year, there are more than 3 million deaths worldwide attributable to the harmful use of alcohol. The Region of the Americas has the second highest total alcohol consumption per capita of all of the WHO Regions, second only to the European Region. While physical distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of bars and restaurants and cancelled sports and cultural events, have contributed to a decrease in the public consumption of alcohol, many countries are reporting increased sales of alcohol and its consumption in the home. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has also increased other risk factors for harmful alcohol use such as heightened stress, depression and anxiety. The full impact of increased alcohol consumption during COVID-19 remains to be seen; however, it has been linked to higher rates of domestic violence and child abuse, suicide, and increased risk of death by methanol contamination. Alcohol consumption should be avoided or minimized during COVID-19, especially as a coping mechanism to manage difficult emotions. People struggling with alcohol use should seek professional help, face-to-face or virtually.