A larger share of Americans are worried about their mental health today than they were at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey CVS Health. In March, the country’s largest pharmacy chain entered into a partnership Morning consultation to survey 2,202 U.S. adults.
In Survey results In the study released Thursday, about 65% of respondents said they had concerns about their own situation Mental health or that of friends and family compared to 59% in April 2022 and 50% in April 2020.
“I think the bottom line is that we continue to see behavioral health increasingly come into the public eye.” Dr. Taft Parsons IIIsays CVS Health vice president and chief psychiatrist Assets. “[COVID-19] has resulted not in the elimination but in the reduction of the level of stigma that people previously faced when discussing their emotional problems and behavioral health needs.”
Socialization is a way to manage stress, says Parsons, and when people found themselves suddenly isolated for an extended period of time, some turned to virtual mental health treatment: “Before this PandemicI think a lot of people would just suffer in silence and not get the help they need.”
Nearly half of respondents, 48%, said they were likely to use mental wellness apps for treatment, while 55% said the same about therapy.
A majority of respondents, 77%, said they are concerned about mental wellbeing across the country. In comparison, 81% said the economy was also a major problem.
“We talk about really current issues,” says Parsons. “This is a dinner conversation; People are very concerned about it.”
Respondents cited these issues as triggers of anxiety:
- Uncertainty about the future: 51%
- Current events: 49%
- Body image/outward appearance: 35%
The survey results are consistent with a growing body of evidence increased rates of depression and anxietyespecially among younger people, says Dr. Itai DanovitchChairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, who was not involved in the survey.
“Those concerned about their mental health should recognize that we can build our resilience by adopting self-care practices such as: Ensuring sleepMake time for exercise, reduce it excessive consumption of digital mediaand value quality time with friends and family,” says Danovitch Assets by email. “For those experiencing severe or persistent mood symptoms, it is important to consult a physician as there are several effective treatment options that can be tailored to personal values and preferences.”
While the survey methodology indicates that “data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, gender, education level, race and region,” the published results were not stratified by these demographics. CVS Health provided Assets Further data shows that 81% of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they were concerned about their mental health or that of their loved ones, compared to 74% in 2022 and 62% in 2020. However, it is unclear how This compares to other age groups.
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Social media has benefits and drawbacks for mental health
The survey results suggest that social media use is linked to mental health in a variety of positive and negative ways. About 36% of respondents said social media has educated them about mental health issues. Meanwhile, 37% said they believe social media has harmed society as a whole. A third said they are trying to spend less time on social media and have turned off app notifications.
“Many public figures have started speaking out about the need and treatment through social media and sharing their personal stories,” says Parsons. “From that standpoint, it’s a very good thing… it’s a good thing when people are able to get the word out, and spread the word quickly.”
Parsons adds: “We’ve also seen some of the negative impacts of this, from the perspective of people attributing stress and anxiety to things that come through Instagram and other social media – and also the way in which “This has impacted our overall ability to do things, collaborate, and work with groups of people who are different from us.”
About half of parents surveyed said they feel social media influences their children’s development and perception of the world. In addition, there are more parents Concerned about their children’s mental health70%, than physical health, 66%.
“There is increasing evidence that the negative effects of social media are significant and widespread, particularly in childhood,” says Danovitch. “We still have a long way to go to effectively address these challenges.”
If you need immediate psychological support, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
CVS Health is a sponsor of Fortune WELL.
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