New research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that COVID-19 infection can be hard on mental health.  [MedScape].

A UK study of more than 18 million adults showed an elevated rate of mental illness, including depression and serious mental illness, for up to a year following a bout of COVID-19, particularly in those with severe COVID who had not been vaccinated. 

Importantly, vaccination appeared to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on mental health, the investigators found. 

"Our results highlight the importance COVID-19 vaccination in the general population and particularly among those with mental illnesses, who may be at higher risk of both SARS-CoV-2 infection and adverse outcomes following COVID-19," first author Venexia Walker, PhD, with University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom, said in a news release. 

The study was published online on August 21 in JAMA Psychiatry.

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