Our entire world was turned upside-down earlier this year when the coronavirus spread across the globe. It’s been over 100 years since every human being on the planet was worried about the exact same health-related concern. The pandemic has affected every aspect of life, including education, socialization, work, familial relationships, emotional growth and many other important aspects of human happiness. Clearly and obviously, the pandemic has inflicted enormous amounts of damage on the human race overall, as millions of people worldwide have been infected with the virus. What we’re not sure about yet is how this situation will affect people mentally. Researchers recently began to attempt to uncover some of those answers.
Are COVID-19 mental health issues going to be prevalent and problematic? According to one recent study, that could definitely be the case. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard University collaborated on a survey that was conducted during the second two weeks of May. For the sake of context, this was before the George Floyd-prompted protests and before the most recent surge in novel coronavirus cases in states such as Florida, Texas, Arizona and California.
Specifically, the study, which can be found here, included asking a representative sample of 1,500 Americans to complete survey questions dealing with the coronavirus, COVID-19 and mental health and the like. Among the general findings, archers uncovered the following:
- 55 percent of survey participants said they were more stressed in May than in January.
- 66 percent were most concerned about the safety of a friend or relative.
- 57 percent stated that they were most concerned about their own health.
The survey went on to ask participants what aspects of life in which they were experiencing moderate levels of stress or worse. The answers included:
- Frustration from not being able to participate in their usual activities – 58 percent
- Worry about the potential breakdown of society – 56 percent
- Concern about their financial situations – 53 percent
- Boredom – 53 percent
Finally, 38 percent of respondents had either lost a job or suffered through reduced household income at the time of the survey.
In conclusion, the researchers stressed that more resources were needed to help alleviate the ongoing and growing problem of mental health on a public, society-wide scale and that a portion of these resources should be allocated towards preventative measures.
COVID-19 Mental Health Considerations – A Deeper Dive
In addition to the general findings above, the researches asked respondents about specific aspects of the fallout from the pandemic. They asked respondents the following questions, and we’ll include the corresponding percentages beneath them:
- Are you more worried about your finances?
- Not at all – 22 percent
- A little bit – 25 percent
- Moderately – 22 percent
- A lot – 18 percent
- Extremely – 13 percent
- Are you more anxious or ill at ease now as compared to January?
- Not at all – 22 percent
- A little bit – 27 percent
- Moderately – 24 percent
- A lot – 17 percent
- Extremely – 10 percent
- Are you having more difficulty concentrating now than in January?
- Not at all – 37 percent
- A little bit – 23 percent
- Moderately – 22 percent
- A lot – 12 percent
- Extremely – 6 percent
- Are you less productive than you were in January?
- Not at all – 34 percent
- A little bit – 24 percent
- Moderately – 21 percent
- A lot – 13 percent
- Extremely – 8 percent
- Are you more worried about your personal health or safety now?
- Not at all – 20 percent
- A little bit – 24 percent
- Moderately – 22 percent
- A lot – 19 percent
- Extremely – 16 percent
Finally, the researchers included the following language in the Conclusions section of the study:
The results of the survey presented here show that COVID-19 and the extensive related changes in everyday life in America have negatively affected both the lives and emotional wellbeing of the vast majority of adults in the United States to a substantial degree.
The COVID-19 Mental Health Study – What It All Means
The results of the COVID-19 mental health study analyzed above should be obvious to anyone who sees them: Americans are suffering emotionally, financially and in some cases even physically as a result of the novel coronavirus. While the researchers do not specify what types of resources should be allocated for mental health challenges or how they should be used, it seems clear that when the world eventually emerges from the throes of COVID-19, there will be serious, widespread problems that need to be addressed when it comes to mental health.
Simply reopening the economy and society in general is not going to be the panacea that some may believe it will be, as the long-term effects of stress, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders are lasting, and in many patients they will not simply heal themselves. These are not minor injuries the world will be dealing with – these are significant injuries that will need treatment, time and compassion at the very least.
How Swift Recovery Solutions Can Help
COVID-19 stress is a real thing, and what’s even more troubling is that much more trauma has been inflicted on the world since this survey was taken, as mentioned above. Coronavirus mental health challenges is going to be one of the lasting legacies of this terribly difficult time, and we all need to be ready and willing to do our parts to help alleviate it in the best way possible so that those who need help get it.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from coronavirus stress such that you think you or they need help with these difficulties, you should not wait until this is all over to take that step, as that could be a long time away. Instead, contact the team of mental health professionals at Swift Recovery Solutions to find out how we can step in and guide you towards a happier and healthier mental state.
