Since the first U.S. COVID-19 diagnosis in January 2020, research has found increased anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, and substance use across the nation. Isolation, financial hardship, and fear of infection are just some of the many pandemic-related stressors that have disrupted lives and posed serious threats to mental health.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created an edition of the Supplemental Research Bulletin that reviews research through November 2020 on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected U.S. mental health and substance use. It also presents research on populations experiencing greater impacts, including youth, women, health workers, and racial and ethnic minorities.
The pandemic continues to inflict unprecedented changes on areas of life including geographic, social, and spiritual communities; education and work; health care; leisure activities; entertainment; and travel. Research suggests these changes will affect coping and resilience. The edition concludes with suggestions from experts for supporting communities over time and improving systems of care.
