Coronavirus Outbreak Causing Mental Health Crisis in the U.S.

In the United States, 20% of adults are dealing with a diagnosed mental illness, and only half of them receive treatment, according to federal statistics. Although suicide rates have decreased around the world, in the “Land of Opportunity,” they have climbed by more than 30% in the past two decades.

According to a survey done by the Kaiser Family Foundation, almost 50% of Americans report experiencing mental health challenges as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. We can see further evidence of this development in data provided by our federal emergency hotlines, which registered ten times more calls this April compared to last year.

Just as the country is taking measures to keep hospitals from getting overloaded by infected patients, experts warn that we need to brace ourselves for a mental health crisis and emphasize the need to provide better access to services.

Alarming Data Predictions

Starting from data collected after economic downturns, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks, researchers have generated models that predict a significant increase in substance abuse, overdose, and suicide rates.

Mental health experts are particularly concerned about the ramification of the economic downturn. There’s a clear link between economic instability and increased rates of substance abuse and suicide, as we saw from studies conducted after the 2008 Recession.

However, this is a crisis that our leaders keep out of White House briefings. Out of the almost three trillion dollars passed by Congress to provide economic relief during the pandemic, only a small fraction is allocated to mental health services. Meanwhile, legislative restrictions on licensing and reimbursement are preventing therapists from bringing their practices online so they can reach vulnerable groups.

Social Distancing Measures

Of course, these projections are not meant to challenge the importance of virus mitigation efforts, but to emphasize an overlooked aspect of health system planning. Even as some states begin to ease lockdown restrictions, concerns regarding the psychological damage caused by the pandemic persist and front-line workers like health-care providers, delivery workers, and shop assistants are especially vulnerable.

We already know that the general population is experiencing increased stress. While for many these effects will be transient, for some it can lead to developing more severe psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, depression, addiction, or addiction relapse. The challenge is to establish a plan that allows us to screen and identify those affected the most.

In this regard, representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and twelve other organizations have issued a joint letter on Wednesday 29th of April, asking the government to lift reimbursement restrictions that would allow therapists to treat their patients remotely. They are also pleading officials to keep community health centers from financial collapse. The Trump administration implied that it would do so on Thursday.

Self-Medicating

An increase in alcohol deliveries shows that we are falling back on an old form of OTC anxiety relief. Social media platforms are full of jokes about how wine is a huge help in coping with the worries caused by the pandemic, but we need to keep in mind that alcohol is an addictive depressant.

According to a study done by the University of South Carolina, after Hurricane Katrina, survivors were consuming alcohol and reporting significantly higher rates of issues associated with alcohol abuse. The trauma caused by the pandemic may also push people who had recovered from substance use disorder into relapse.

On a more positive note, many are turning to the wellness industry to cope with increased stress and anxiety. Sales for indoor fitness equipment such as yoga mats, skipping ropes, and dumbbells have also surged. Online retailers selling gardening equipment and seeds likewise report an overwhelming number of orders.

CBD-derived products, already popular before the pandemic, have seen a sharp increase in demand. This is promising because, according to the World Health Organization, CBD is non-addictive and may help lower anxiety and improve sleep quality. You can find out more about CBD products by consulting a guide to CBD.

People are also turning towards online therapy services such as Talkspace and BetterHelp to talk to professionals who can help them manage their stress symptoms. These companies report that most of their clients’ concerns revolve around the COVID-19 pandemic.

These details show that people have the willingness to manage their anxiety through healthier options and, provided with appropriate access to mental health services, we could avoid the consequences of a coronavirus-related mental health crisis.