One of the most worrying consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, both when it broke out and as things began to get back to normal, has been the impact on people’s mental health around the world. Coping with the great uncertainty and changes it has brought has been a major challenge, and it has taken a huge toll on the mental well-being of millions.

Egypt has been no exception in this process and the pandemic has also affected the mental health of its citizens. A study conducted in the country in mid-2020 by three researchers from Suez Canal University found that 40% of respondents suffered a severe impact on their mental health as a result of the pandemic, including financial stress and helplessness.

Yet the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of Egyptians, severe as it may be, showed only part of a much deeper crisis. In 2018, prior to the pandemic, a country-wide survey conducted by the country’s Health Ministry with a sample of 22,000 families found that at least a quarter of Egyptians experienced mental health problems. Among the most common were depression and anxiety, particularly prevalent in rural areas. The study showed that this increased to 30% among high school students.