The mental health of Americans just hit a 20-year low. During late June, 40% of U.S adults struggled with mental health or substance abuse.
- 30% had symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder.
- 13% had increased substance use to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19.
- 26% had symptoms of a trauma-and stressor-related disorder related to the pandemic.
- 25% of adults aged 18-24 seriously considered suicide.
- 30% of unpaid caregivers for adults seriously considered suicide.
- 27.8% of U.S. adults reported depression symptoms as of April 2020, compared to only 8.5% before COVID.
In May, a California doctor told local news that he witnessed a year's worth of suicide attempts during the lockdown in just the four weeks prior.
A Worsened Opioid Crisis
- More than 40 states in the US reported increases related to opioid-related deaths.
- In Rhode Island, all drug fatal overdoses increased by 26% and opioid-involved fatal overdoses increased by 33%.
- Overdose calls were up 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In Australia, the lockdown's suicide toll was far higher than the virus'. They exceeded deaths from the virus by 10 times.
- The pandemic may lead to another 75,000 deaths from substance abuse and suicide.
Sources: CDC, The Washington Post