Introduction: Mental health plays a crucial role in individual development and enables active participation in society. Mental health disorders significantly deteriorate the quality of life, emphasizing the important role of nurses in the care of individuals with mental illness. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can have various consequences on one's health, which can persist for months after recovering from the infection, including common effects on mental health. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to identify the most common consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection on mental health and present nursing interventions. Methods: In the diploma work, we conducted an analysis of foreign scientific literature on mental health after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We searched for relevant articles published between 2019 and 2022 in databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Trip Database. The literature search was conducted between April 2022 and June 2023. There is a lack of this kind of research in Slovenia thus only foreign scientific literature was included. Results: Our findings revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to numerous negative effects on mental health, including symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as sleep problems and cognitive difficulties. The underlying cause of these issues is believed to be a combination of the inflammatory response in the central nervous system and the social measures implemented to contain the spread of the infection. Discussion and conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection has a negative impact on an individual's mental health, which can significantly deteriorate their quality of life. Mental disorders arising from the infection need to be promptly addressed and managed. The role of a nurse is crucial in this regard, as they should ensure mutual, trusting, and therapeutic communication, monitor the patient's therapeutic plan, and take on an educational role. In practice, we recommend the use of the TIDAL model, which places the patient at the center of care. With the help of this model, the nurse guides the patient to independently find strategies to improve their well-being.
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