Risk factors

The risk of mental health symptoms while ill with or while recovering from COVID-19 can depend on factors such as age, work, social support, health habits and mental health history.

People with a history of mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, may have a higher risk of mental health symptoms after COVID-19 illness. Also, people with long COVID may have mental health symptoms or conditions as part of that illness.

Other groups, including healthcare professionals and children, reported higher levels of mental health challenges during the pandemic. But this may not raise their long-term risk of mental health challenges after COVID-19 illness.