Psychological factors causing transnational hazard to the public mental health during a pandemic

Background. The papers of Russian and foreign authors consider the influence of psychological factors that determine the decline in public mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Severe consequences of a viral pandemic are characterized by the formation and exacerbation of mental disorders due to long-term quarantine, a forced decision to change their usual way of life due to the introduction of quarantine measures, an increase in anxiety and existential fear of death, and planning for the near future imposed by external circumstances. Objective of the study: to study scientific literature and analyze the psychological factors that determine public mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic; development of technologies for crisis psychological and psychotherapeutic assistance to persons with mental disorders. Results. The materials discussed are grouped into six thematic sections: the COVID-19 pandemic and public health, the impact of the pandemic on mental health, predictors of mental health disorders, family relationships during the pandemic, post-COVID syndrome and mental health disorders, opportunities for psychological and psychotherapeutic assistance during a pandemic.