Houston Republic

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the isolation and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic hardships are fueling a mental health crisis including suicide and depression.

A cross-section of adults were surveyed during the last week of June and the findings show that cases of depression, drug use and suicidal thoughts among young adults, minority groups, essential workers and unpaid adult caregivers have risen substantially over the same period a year ago. The results of the survey were released Aug. 14.

A total of 5,412 respondents completed surveys out of 9,896 people eligible, the results quantified by Qualtrics, a software survey company based in Provo, Utah. The CDC said that of adult respondents, approximately 40% reported they are struggling with mental health issues or substance use or abuse. 

Because of physical distancing and stay-at-home orders associated with the pandemic, the report said that anxiety and depression disorder also increased considerably during the period from April through June as compared to last year.

Of those questioned, approximately 26.3% said they had started or increased chemical substance use to cope with the pandemic, while 10.7% said they had contemplated suicide — although the rate was much higher among those aged 18 to 24, at 25.5%. Hispanic respondents came in at 18.6% for suicidal thoughts and African Americans at 15.1%.

General trends were noted. Suicidal thoughts were more common among males than females, and substance use or abuse more common among younger people 18 to 24. A higher percentage of anxiety disorder was reported among Hispanics over whites, while Black respondents reporting substance use and suicidal thoughts were more common than White or Asian respondents.

Those afflicted by at least one mental or behavioral health symptom tallied 74.9% for ages 18-24, 51.9% for those 25-44, and 66.2% among those with less than a high school diploma. Among the highest group were those who are unpaid caregivers for adults at 66.6%.  

Depressive disorders were reported to be four times higher in the second quarter of 2020 than over the same period in 2019.

The report said that social support, treatment options and harm-reduction health services are needed urgently and should be made available to the public. The study advised that mental health, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts should continue to be closely monitored.