Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder
33% of adults nationwide report symptoms of anxiety or depression, up from 11% in 2019. Southern states have the largest share of adults reporting symptoms: 46% in MS, 42% in KY, and 40% in LA and WV.
Symptoms of anxiety or depression, June 1-13, 2022
Percent of adults who experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression in the last two weeks
Source: CDC and Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. Notes: This indicator is based on self-report of the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms, derived from responses to the first two questions of the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) and the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) scale.
Social isolation and uncertainty hit nearly every sector of society when Covid struck, amplifying anxiety and stress nationwide.1,2,3 The number of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorder has tripled since the start of the pandemic, up to 33% in June 2022 from 11% in 2019. 9 of the 11 states with the highest rates were in the South: 46% in MS, 42% in KY, 40% in LA and WV, and 36-38% in SC, AL, AR, TN, and NC.
A new study finds that Black, Asian, and Hispanic communities experienced higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms during the pandemic compared to 2019.4 Rates for unmet mental health care were similar across racial groups prior to the pandemic, but grew significantly for communities of color during the pandemic compared to white individuals (Mental Health Providers).
The effects of this mental health crisis continue to unfold, with increasing incidences of drug overdose deaths, road rage incidents, violent crime, child abuse, and firearm suicides 5,6,7,8,9,10 (Firearm Suicides). Bolstering services like the updated three-digit national Suicide and Crisis Hotline “988” will be critical in supporting growing needs in long-term mental health care.11
“Uncertainty and stress: Why it causes diseases and how it is mastered by the brain”. Peters, McEwen, and Friston. Progress in Neurobiology. September, 2017. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301008217300369
“More Proof That Money Can Buy Happiness (or a Life with Less Stress)”. Blanding. Harvard Business School. January, 2022. https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/more-proof-that-money-can-buy-happiness
“Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review”. Holt-Lunstad, Smith, Baker, Harris, and Stephenson. Perspectives on Psychological Science. March, 2015. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1745691614568352
“Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health and Mental Health Care During The COVID-19 Pandemic”. Thomeer, Moody, and Yahirun. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. March, 2022. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-022-01284-9
“Drug Overdose Deaths”. CDC. https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/dcdd/viz/04_DrugOverdose/04_DrugOverdose
“Many Teens Report Emotional and Physical Abuse by Parents During Lockdown”. Barry. The New York Times. March, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/31/health/covid-mental-health-teens.html
“Danger in danger: Interpersonal violence during COVID-19 quarantine”. Mazza, Marano, Lai, Janiri, and Sani. PubMed. July, 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7190494/
“2020 Fatality Data Show Increased Traffic Fatalities During Pandemic”. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. June, 2021. https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/2020-fatality-data-show-increased-traffic-fatalities-during-pandemic
“Reports of Road Rage Shootings are on the Rise”. Burd-Sharps, Bistline. Everytown. April, 2022. https://everytownresearch.org/reports-of-road-rage-shootings-are-on-the-rise/
“Preventing gun violence takes more than police”. Henderson, Brown. Brookings Institute. March, 2022. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/how-we-rise/2022/03/31/preventing-gun-violence-takes-more-than-police/
“988: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline launches new 3-digit number”. Howard, Stracqualursi. CNN Health. July, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/16/health/988-national-suicide-prevention-lifeline-launches/index.html
