A new survey from CVS Health finds that more Americans are worried about their mental health now than at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, America’s largest pharmacy chain partnered with Morning Consult to survey 2,202 American adults.
The survey results, released Thursday, found that around 65% of respondents said they had experienced concerns about their own mental health or that of a friend or family member, compared to 59% in April 2022 and 2020. In April, it was 50%.
“I think the important takeaway is that behavioral health continues to gain national attention,” said Dr. Taft Parsons III, vice president and chief psychiatric officer at CVS Health. luck. “[COVID-19] This reduced, rather than eliminated, the stigma people had when talking about emotional struggles and behavioral health needs. ”
Socialization is a way to cope with stress, Parsons said, and when people suddenly faced long-term isolation, some turned to virtual mental health treatment. that’s what they need. ”
Almost half of respondents, 48%, said they were likely to use a mental wellbeing app for therapy, and 55% said the same for therapy.
A majority of respondents, 77%, said they were concerned about the nation’s overall mental health. In contrast, 81% said the economy was also a major concern.
“We’re really talking about the most important issues,” Parsons said. “This is a dinner conversation. People are very concerned about it.”
Respondents cited the following issues as contributing to their anxiety:
- Uncertainty about the future: 51%
- Current affairs: 49%
- Body image/appearance: 35%
Dr. Itai Danovich, director of the department of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said the poll results show that rates of depression and anxiety are increasing, especially among young people. It said it was consistent with the body of evidence to prove it. Not involved in the investigation.
“People concerned about their mental health should prioritize self-care practices such as getting more sleep, making time for exercise, reducing excessive digital media consumption, and prioritizing quality time with friends and family.” We need to recognize that we can strengthen our resilience by doing so,” Danovich said. luck on mail. “It is important for people experiencing severe or persistent mood symptoms to consult a health care professional, as there are a variety of effective treatments available that can be tailored to personal values and preferences.”
Although the survey methodology states that “data are weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, gender, education, race, and region,” the published results are based on these demographics. Not stratified. CVS Health Offerings luck Additional data shows that 81% of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they were worried about their or a loved one’s mental health, compared to 74% in 2022 and 62% in 2020. became. However, it is unclear how this compares to other ages. group.
Jamie Grill — Getty Images
Social media has its pros and cons for mental health.
Research suggests that social media plays into our relationship with mental health in a myriad of ways, both positive and negative. About 36% of respondents said social media taught them about mental health issues. Meanwhile, 37% said they believe social media is harming society as a whole. A third said they were spending less time on social media and turning off app notifications.
“Many celebrities are starting to use social media to talk about their need for treatment, their treatment, and their personal stories,” Parsons said. “From that perspective, this is a very good thing…The benefit is that people can spread the word and spread it quickly.”
Parsons continued, “In terms of people attributing stress and anxiety to things that are broadcast through Instagram and other social media, and how that affects our ability to stay informed in general. We’ve seen some of the negative effects of that in terms of how it’s impacting people,” he added. Cooperate and collaborate with circles of people who are different from us. ”
About half of parents surveyed said they felt social media was having an impact on their children’s development and worldview. Additionally, 70% of parents are more concerned about their child’s mental health than 66% of parents are concerned about their child’s physical health.
“There is growing evidence that the negative effects of social media are significant and widespread, especially in childhood,” Danovich said. “We still have a considerable way to go to effectively address these challenges.”
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