While the world focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic, a silent threat has been growing in the background. It does not take an expert to determine that COVID-19 has affected a majority of Americans. In fact, I’m sure if you asked a stranger on the street, they would have their own horror stories to share. However, over the past several months, health experts at the CDC and other organizations find more to be worried about than just COVID-19. The rate at which people are experiencing symptoms of mental illness is increasing by the day. If these numbers are left unchecked, America could experience a mental health crisis with long-lasting effects. This article will go into detail about the information coming out of the CDC and other health organizations.
The Growing Concern
In late June, the CDC conducted a nationwide survey to find how the American population was mentally handling the pandemic. The numbers the CDC received caused grave concern from the mental health world at large. According to the survey, 41% of the 5500 people surveyed were experiencing symptoms associated with mental illness. The CDC also found another 13% of those surveyed either started substance use or increased substance use.
Those experiencing symptoms associated with mental health problems are rapidly increasing. With this in mind, the need for mental health services has also increased. According to the World Health Organization, mental health services around the world are at a breaking point. A survey conducted by the WHO found that over 60% of the world’s population has experienced mental health disruption. This disruption includes the inability to use services like therapy. Also, people are finding disruptions in the availability of the medication used to treat mental illness.
Is Covid-19 to Blame
While those suffering from mental health disorders have increased, many health experts believe these numbers are an anomaly. Dr. Ronald W. Pies, a leading psychiatrist, believes that while mental illness is increasing, the cause is temporary. In Psychiatric Time, Dr. Pies argues that the media is blowing the current mental health scare out of proportion. In Dr. Pies opinion, it is completely normal for people to experience feelings of depression during a health pandemic and US election. Dr. Pies also discusses the fact that disorders like depression and anxiety need to be diagnosed by a doctor and not a survey. “In my experience, only a careful clinical evaluation could distinguish profound demoralization and grief from major depressive illness among the CDC survey respondents. Screening instruments like the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4)—used in the CDC survey—simply cannot do the job.”
What the Future Holds
Professionals like Dr. Ronald W. Pies believe that COVID-19 is causing an increase in mental illness. Once the pandemic ends, the mental health crisis will end as well. However, the fact remains that America is currently in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic with no end in sight. If nothing is done soon to curve the increasing rate of those suffering from mental illnesses, America runs the risk of experiencing severe harm to the mental health community. Mental health centers around the country are suffering financial hardships. Many of these centers have had to let a good portion of their staff go due to the lack of funds. Fortunately, organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness have opened up donations to ensure these struggling mental health facilities get the funding they need. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the link.
Bibliography
“COVID-19 Disrupting Mental Health Services in Most Countries, WHO Survey.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 5 Oct. 2020, www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2020-covid-19-disrupting-mental-health-services-in-most-countries-who-survey.
Czeisler, Mark. “Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, June 24–30, 2020.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Aug. 2020, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm.
Pies, Ronald. “Is the Country Experiencing a Mental Health Pandemic?” Psychiatric Times, 13 Oct. 2020, www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/are-we-really-witnessing-mental-health-pandemic.
Roubein, Rachel, and Brianna Ehley. “Swamped Mental Health and Addiction Services Appeal for Covid Bailout.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 23 June 2020, www.politico.com/news/2020/06/22/coronavirus-bailout-mental-health-334588.
