The global pandemic of the new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2, being a unique historical event that the world community has encountered for the first time in modern times, has entailed extensive consequences and critical changes in the lifestyle of most people. According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, as of November 24, 2020, 58,967,830 cases of infection with a new type of coronavirus were registered in the world [1].

There is no doubt about the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of people [2, 3]. According to a systematic review and metaanalysis conducted by Luo M. et al., which analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the psyche of healthcare workers, the general population, and patients at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and patients with COVID-19, from 17 countries of the world, increased anxiety, depression, distress, PTSD symptoms were detected in all four groups, and they were significantly higher in patients with diseases predisposing to COVID-19 or in those with COVID-19 [2]. This review identified the following risk factors of the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health: female gender, work as nurses, social isolation, loneliness, low income, suffering from diseases [2].

To date, it has been confirmed that a new type of coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2, causing generalized thrombovasculitis of small vessels, affects all body systems [4], including the central nervous system, leading to mental disorders [5]. However, in addition to the direct pathogenic effect of the COVID-19 virus on human mental health, the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection has entailed several economic and social consequences, which also led to an increase in the level of mental tension in society. Many people have faced unemployment and declining in income [6].

Social isolation due to measures to prevent the spread of the disease has become another pronounced factor of distress. In a study by Rossi R. et al. using an Internet questionnaire for the adult population in Italy during the COVID-19 quarantine period, 37% of the respondents had PTSD symptoms, 17.3% had symptoms of severe depression, 20.8% had severe anxiety, 7.3% had severe insomnia, 21.8% — high level of stress and 22.9% — adjustment disorders. At the same time, a link was noted between quarantine and symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and adjustment disorders [7].