Unvaccinated and Unprotected: Does Skipping the COVID-19 Vaccine Heighten Your Risk for Mental Illness

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, countless studies have explored its impact on mental health. From both the research and my clinical experience, one thing is clear: the pandemic took a toll on people’s mental well-being.

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry dug deeper into this by asking, “How does mental health differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated people who were diagnosed with COVID-19?” The results? Conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and even self-harm and suicide spiked in the weeks following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Interestingly, the vaccinated group showed lower rates of these issues, while those hospitalized for COVID-19 had longer-lasting struggles with mental health.

The takeaway is clear: getting vaccinated not only protects against the virus but may also reduce the mental health impact of a COVID-19 infection. It’s crucial to continue promoting vaccination, especially among those with pre-existing mental health conditions who are at higher risk.

Article Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2822342#:~:text=Conclusions%20and%20Relevance%20In%20this,COVID%2D19%20on%20mental%20health