Mental health had already been a growing concern over the past decade, especially in our younger generations. This has primarily been attributed to cultural trends that disproportionately affect younger people. It is widely accepted that increased use of electronic communication and digital media has changed how humans interact socially, leading to a growing number of mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes, particularly in younger and younger children.
In March 2020, everything changed for everyone …
This was the mental health crisis that our society was already struggling with at the beginning of 2020, when we suddenly found ourselves facing a global pandemic. Considering that the last time we faced a pandemic of this proportion was over 100 years ago, very few people alive today have any memory of what this experience is like. For many of us, this is the single largest traumatic event that we’ve ever faced, or ever will.
On top of this traumatic event, add a freefalling economy due to business lockdowns and quarantine restrictions, a world grappling with social unrest magnified by social media and the news, a volatile election year stoked by an increasingly divided country, and you’ve got millions of people will be struggling mentally for years to come.
Throughout all of this, most of us were trying to cope with the everyday responsibilities and problems present pre-pandemic – juggling work, a family, finances, relationships, etc.
6 Major Takeaways from MHA’s 2020 Mental Health Screening
Mental Health America (MHA) offers a free anonymous online screening tool on their website that about 1 million people use to determine whether they are struggling with a mental health issue in a typical year. In 2020 alone, nearly 2.5 million people completed one of their screenings, revealing that mental health concerns are rapidly rising.
MHA did a deep dive into the 2020 data to determine the six most significant conclusions to come out of this data. (Source: MHA’s blog post on 2/12/21, authored by Whitney Ball, Associate Director of Marketing and Outreach.)
1. Children and Adolescents are Facing a Mental Health Crisis
This population group faced many factors that have understandably taken a toll on their mental health. From shifting to remote learning to total isolation away from their peers – not to mention the stress that many youths already faced at home and have had no escape from over the last year – this group will need a lot of support as we try to return to “normal.”
2. Anxiety and Depression Are on the Rise
Of the total number of people screened in 2020 (2.5 million), 1/2 million reported exhibiting anxiety in 2020, and 79% of those described moderate to severe anxiety. Per day, two thousand five hundred people said they showed signs of depression in 2020, and 85% of those described moderate to severe depression. We must focus on this group for support and resources.
3. There is an Increase in Psychosis Symptoms
In 2020, 250,000 people took a psychosis screen – twice as many as in 2019. Over 76% scored at risk for psychosis. November and December 2020 reported the highest levels ever reached. This metric highlights the need for mental health services and support at the highest level of mental illness.
4. Loneliness and Isolation are Significantly Impacting Mental Health
Loneliness and isolation were cited as a significant reason for mental health struggles, with 71% of people reporting this as one of the top three things contributing to their mental health concerns. This data highlights the need for continued resources on how to cope with loneliness.
5. There is an Increase in People Seeking Help for the First Time
Mental health problems were a first for many people during 2020, with 64% of people who indicated a mental health concern having never received treatment or support before – up 7% from 2019. The good news is that people are reaching out for help, but this data highlights the need for increased resources as the number of people needing support continues to rise.
6. The Past Year Has Affected People’s Mental Health Unequally
It was profoundly evident in last year’s data that different racial and ethnic groups suffered mental health crises’ differently. Black people needing support cited financial reasons for not seeking support at a higher rate than the total population. In contrast, a higher percentage of Hispanic/Latinx help seekers cited loneliness or isolation as a contributing factor. Native American help seekers named loss or grief at a higher rate than the total population, and past trauma as a contributing factor to their mental health concern. Conclusion: we cannot ignore racial differences when we plan to support those in need of mental health support and resources.
2021: The State of Mental Health in America (an annual report compiled by Mental Health America)
Mental Health America puts out an annual report on the state of mental health in America every year, and their 2021 data was recently released. You can download the 2021 report, which includes a special spotlight on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, HERE.
Where Do We Go from Here?
The past 14 months have challenged us and forced us to adapt to a new world. Consequently, mental health concerns are on the rise in our country and around the world. As the landscape in this country starts to improve, it’s crucial that we not ignore the fact that our mental health problems are not going to improve on their own. The data tells us that it’s essential to focus a significant amount of resources on supporting the mental health struggles of all communities.