Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

, MMWR Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report, 2020 Aug 14

Investigators

Rashon Lane, Ph.D., MA, Senior Health Equity Scientist

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with mental health challenges related to the morbidity and mortality caused by the disease and to mitigation activities, including the impact of physical distancing and stay-at-home orders.* Symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder increased considerably in the United States during April-June of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019 (1,2). To assess mental health, substance use, and suicidal ideation during the pandemic, representative panel surveys were conducted among adults aged ≥18 years across the United States during June 24-30, 2020. Overall, 40.9% of respondents reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder (30.9%), symptoms of a trauma- and stressor-related disorder (TSRD) related to the pandemic† (26.3%), and having started or increased substance use to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19 (13.3%). The percentage of respondents who reported having seriously considered suicide in the 30 days before completing the survey (10.7%) was significantly higher among respondents aged 18-24 years (25.5%), minority racial/ethnic groups (Hispanic respondents [18.6%], non-Hispanic black [black] respondents [15.1%]), self-reported unpaid caregivers for adults (30.7%), and essential workers¶ (21.7%). Community-level intervention and prevention efforts, including health communication strategies, designed to reach these groups could help address various mental health conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pubmed Abstract

Pubmed AbstractOpens New Window

Associated Topics

Related Publications

Physicians’ well-being linked to in-basket messages generated by algorithms In EHRs.

Tai-Seale M, Dillon EC, Yang Y, Nordgren R, Steinberg R, Nauenberg T, Lee TC, Meehan A, Li J, Chan AS, Frosch D.
Health Aff. 38(7): https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05509.
2019 Jul 01

Physicians’ well-being linked to in-basket messages generated by algorithms In electronic health records.

Tai-Seale M, Dillon EC, Yang Y, Nordgren R, Steinberg R, Nauenberg T, Lee TC, Meehan A, Li J, Chan AS, Frosch D.
Health Aff. 38(7): https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05509.
2019 Jul 01

Primary care provider utilization and satisfaction with a health system navigation program for adolescents with behavioral health needs.

Yang Y, Dillon EC, Li M, Li J, Erlich KJ, Heneghan AM, Becker DF.
Transl Behav Med. 9(3):549-559. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibz049.
2019 May 16

The ENGAGE study: Integrating neuroimaging, virtual reality and smartphone sensing to understand self-regulation for managing depression and obesity in a precision medicine model.

Williams LM, Pines A, Goldstein-Piekarski AN, Rosas LG, Kullar M, Sacchet MD, Gevaert O, Bailenson J, Lavori PW, Dagum P, Wandell B, Correa C, Greenleaf W, Suppes T, Perry LM, Smyth JM, Lewis MA, Venditti EM, Snowden M, Simmons JM, Ma J.
Behav Res Ther. pii: S0005-7967(17)30202-4. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2017.09.012. [Epub ahead of print]
2017 Oct 07

Profiles of sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical and psychosocial characteristics among primary care patients with comorbid obesity and depression.

Ma J, Xiao L, Lv N, Rosas LG, Lewis MA, Goldhaber-Fiebert JD, Venditti EM, Snowden MB, Lesser L, Ward E.
Prev Med Rep. 8:42-50. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.07.010. eCollection 2017 Dec.
2017 Aug 05