Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD

The COVID-19 pandemic reveals existing weaknesses in the mental health system, but also presents opportunities for reform.

Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD, and Mark Olfson, MD, speak from the epicenter of the COVID-19 disaster, New York City.

The public is gripped by fear of COVID-19 and by worry over whether the health system will be able to treat them or their loved ones should they become ill. Consequently, clinical and public health efforts have focused on acute medical care needs of those who are severely affected, while containing the virus’s spread in the population.

The iconic scene when George C. Scott slaps the soldier with PTSD in Patton and calls him a “yellow-bellied coward” mirrors the historic and continued ambivalence of the military toward the psychological wounds of war.

The authors outline the ingredients for the transformation of mental health care in America.