Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of sex and gender minorities

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only claimed people's lives but also broadened mental health inequities, both in the Global North and South. Pre-pandemic data show that mental, neurological, substance use disorders and self-harm in the United States were higher compared to Canada and Mexico. While age-standardized DALY (Disability-adjusted life years) rates of mental health disorders in 2019 were highest in Australasia, Tropical Latin America, and high-income North America, those disorders were more prevalent in females than males, there is currently no gender-disaggregated data available. Underserved and marginalized populations, including but not limited to LGBTQIA+ communities, adolescents of color, violence survivors, indigenous people, and immigrants, bear the brunt of significant adverse mental health outcomes due to lack of resources, racism, and discrimination, especially during the pandemic. Furthermore, health inequities potentially impact one's productivity at the workplace and educational institutions, interaction with family and friends, and self-perception.

Through our Research Topic, we intend to assess widening mental health inequities among sex and gender minorities and aim to look for data and trends on the strategies to support their mental health needs globally.

The collated submission aims to identify the existing literature and studies on the mental health of sex and gender minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies and to suggest research, programmatic, and policy implications.

Our collection welcomes a various range of deliverables, including original research, reviews, commentaries, systematic reviews, case reports, policy papers, and concept analyses.