Long COVID-19 & Mental Health: Emerging Research and Implications for Practice

Live Interactive Webinar

Instructor: Ellie Lipton, M.S.W., LCSW, LICSW

February 2, 2024, 1 – 4:15 p.m. ET

Level: Intermediate

CEs: 3

Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.

The CDC estimates that in 2023 19% of adults in the U.S. are experiencing Long COVID-19 symptoms. Long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, describes a range of symptoms that emerge or persist four weeks after initial infection of SARS-COV-2. Symptoms can impact every organ system in the body, most notably the cognitive, cardiac and respiratory systems. Common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, heart palpitations, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal distress, changes in mood and post exertional malaise.

Emerging research overwhelmingly points to Long COVID exacerbating pre-existing mental health symptoms and impacting emergent mental health problems. While researchers are unsure of the cause of Long COVID, current theories suggest that the COVID-19 virus causes lasting organ damage, reduces circulating serotonin and/or causes inflammation and autoimmunity.

This course will explore the mental health impacts of Long COVID in adults. The course will provide an overview of Long COVID and discuss emerging research on Long COVID, including Long COVID’s impact on both pre-existing and emergent mental health concerns. This course will include implications for clinical practice and policy creation.