Just another consequence of the Coronavirus Pandemic, according to the CDC
A new report released by the CDC on Thursday, indicates that Americans are drinking more and becoming depressed due to the societal effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The study surveyed surveyed 5,412 Americans, and found that
40.9% of respondents reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including those who reported symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder (30.9%), those with TSRD (traumatic or stressor-related disorder) symptoms related to COVID-19 (26.3%), those who reported having started or increased substance use to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19 (13.3%), and those who reported having seriously considered suicide in the preceding 30 days (10.7%)
Among those findings, it was determined that
Younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers reported having experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal ideation.
The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety disorder was approximately three times those reported in the second quarter of 2019 (25.5% versus 8.1%), and prevalence of depressive disorder was approximately four times that reported in the second quarter of 2019 (24.3% versus 6.5%) (2)
Approximately one quarter of respondents reported symptoms of a TSRD related to the pandemic, and approximately one in 10 reported that they started or increased substance use because of COVID-19.
Suicidal ideation was also elevated; approximately twice as many respondents reported serious consideration of suicide in the previous 30 days than did adults in the United States in 2018, referring to the previous 12 months (10.7% versus 4.3%)
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There were limitations to the study, which can be viewed in the document itself, but it still basically supports a rather obvious premise:
Social isolation, economic insecurity, and limited access to healthcare in general (due to fears of exposure in that environment) can led to increased incidences of depression, anxiety, alcohol/substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.
So I will again ask these questions.
Is the “cure” worse than the disease?
Have the government mandates truly reduced the overall morbidity and mortality to Americans from this pandemic?
See source document here: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020