The pandemic has caused an increase in anxiety, stress, depression and suicides

Millions of Americans have lost their jobs. They watched helplessly as their meager savings dwindled as they were confined to their homes – banned from interacting with friends, attending church, temple or music and sporting events due to restrictions enacted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has had a profound impact on people’s mental health and emotional well-being – leading to a significant increase in cases of anxiety, depression and death by suicide.

Reputable public health entities, such as the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and the World Health Organization (WHO), all point out that our mental health “languishes” and “has issued warnings about the possible effects of COVID-19 on suicidal behavior”.

Major research study concludes that the United Nations and WHO argue that his important to focus more on mental health issues, including suicide prevention. The organizations say, “The mental health consequences are likely to last longer and peak later than the actual pandemic. Suicide is likely to become a more pressing concern, as the pandemic spreads and has long-term effects on the general population, the economy and vulnerable groups.

In April, the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association wrote that economic stress, social isolation, reduced access to religious services and overall national anxiety have increased gun sales and suicides of healthcare workers.

American News and World Report detailed the story of Dr. Lorna Breen, a 49-year-old emergency doctor in New York City. Dr Breen, during the difficult early stages of the epidemic, worked 18 hours a day and “slept in the halls of the hospital”.

She contracted Covid-19 and took some time off. Upon her return, Dr Breen suffered from exhaustion and her family asked her to return home to recover in Virginia. Her father said she “seemed detached”. She had told her father that “she was also deeply disturbed after witnessing so much death and suffering of patients”. Dr Breen subsequently died of a self-inflicted injury.

As a nation, we avoid these types of topics because they are not comfortable talking about them. If you honestly think about the situation we’re all in together, it shouldn’t be that surprising. We are facing an unprecedented pandemic. Our leaders cannot agree on anything except crass insults. Lawmakers recently fled Washington, DC for the remainder of August, going on vacation, as we await information on the loss of enhanced unemployment benefits of $ 600 per week, whether or not there will be a new one. stimulus plan and whether the now obsolete policy of banning evictions will be reinstated.

Scroll down Twitter and, within minutes, you’ll see the violence and chaos in Portland, Oregon, and other major American cities. The mass media stoke fear, hatred and racial tensions on an hourly basis. More than 55 million people have applied for unemployment benefits since the start of the epidemic. People are afraid of losing their jobs, of not being called back after their leave, or of wondering if their business will still be solvent. Big, iconic companies, such as JC Penney, Hertz, Neiman Marcus, J. Crew and Brooks Brothers, have filed for bankruptcy protection. A small group of multi-billionaires, like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, are hitting billions during the lockdown, as the vast majority of Americans suffer.

Children, young adults and their parents are afraid to go back to school. There is pressure on parents to juggle their own work, while teaching their children at home. If students – from elementary to middle school – return to school, there are fears of contracting the virus.

The CDC surveyed 5,412 people between June 24 and 30 and the data collected on suicides is alarming. About 25% of young adults aged 18 to 24 say they have considered suicide because of the pandemic. About 30.9% of respondents said they “had symptoms of anxiety or depression” and about 26.3% reported trauma and stress-related disorders caused by the epidemic. Over 13% reported using alcohol, prescription drugs and / or illegal drugs to cope with their pandemic-induced stress and anxiety.

The number of Americans reporting symptoms of anxiety is triple the number this time last year. The CDC reported that 11% of adults surveyed had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days. The study found that “19% of Hispanics reported suicidal thoughts” and “15% of blacks reported suicidal thoughts.” When it comes to young adults, Dr Robert Redfield, CDC Director, said: “We are, unfortunately, seeing a lot more suicides now than deaths. [Covid-19]. ”

Cook County, Ill. Board Chair Toni Preckwinkle reported that “more African Americans” in her county “have died by suicide this year than in all of 2019.” In particular, there is an increase in suicide among young people. Preckwinkle darkly shared, “2020 is on track to be the worst year for suicides in the black community in a decade.”

The loss of jobs, the fear of running out of money or being kicked out will not go away anytime soon. It is critical that our elected officials, business and community leaders, as well as healthcare professionals, work on a solution. It is a difficult subject, but one that needs to be highlighted and discussed for answers and action.

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention recommends that those in need of emotional support related to Covid-19 to call the Disaster Helpline (800-985-5990) or text TalkWithUs at 66746. And if you are having a suicidal crisis, you can Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text line by texting HOME at 741741 for help. ‘help.