Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Role of Social Media

There has been growing research since the outbreak of COVID-19 showing that its negative consequences extend far beyond the considerable death roll. Many people from affected areas all over the world are experiencing increased mental distress as they are faced with such extreme uncertainty, some are even suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms and suicidal ideation related to the situation. Containment measures such as lockdown and social isolation, though necessary to prevent the spread of the virus, can cause more severe psychological distress while decreasing citizens’ access to usual recourses of social support and mental health care. By reviewing empirical research, this chapter outlines how the public in China responded to, and coped with the COVID-19 epidemic psychologically.