A larger share of Americans are concerned about their mental health now than at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey from CVS Health. In March, the nation's largest drugstore chain partnered with… Morning consultation To poll 2,202 American adults.
in Survey results Released Thursday, about 65% of participants said they felt concerns about their own mental health or the health of their friends and family, compared to their own mental health. 59% in April 2022 And 50% in April 2020.
“I think the point to keep in mind is that we continue to see behavioral health become an increasing focus for the public.” Dr. Taft Parsons IIIsays CVS Health's vice president and chief medical officer of psychiatry luck. “[COVID-19]has not eliminated stigma, but rather it has led to a decrease in the amount of stigma that people used to face when talking about their emotional struggles and behavioral health needs.”
Parsons says socializing is a way to deal with stress, and when people faced sudden and prolonged isolation, some turned to virtual mental health therapy. “Before the pandemic, I think a lot of people were suffering in silence and not getting help,” Parsons says. that they need.”
Nearly half of participants, 48%, said they were likely to use mental health apps for therapy, while 55% said the same for therapy.
The majority of respondents, 77%, said they were concerned about mental health nationally. In comparison, 81% said the economy was also a major concern.
“We're talking about issues that are really top of mind for us,” Parsons says. “This is a dinner conversation; “People are very concerned about this.”
Participants cited these issues as causes of concern:
- Uncertainty about the future: 51%
- Current events: 49%
- Body Image/Physical Appearance: 35%
The survey results are consistent with a growing body of documented evidence Increased rates of depression and anxietyHe says, especially among young people Dr. Itay DanovichChairman Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, who did not participate in the survey.
“People concerned about their mental health should realize that we can boost our resilience by prioritizing self-care practices such as maintaining sleep, making time to exercise, limiting excessive digital media consumption, and prioritizing quality time with friends and family,” says Danovich. luck By email. “For individuals experiencing severe or persistent mood symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional, as there are many effective treatment options that can be tailored to personal values and preferences.”
While the survey methodology states “data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, gender, educational attainment, race, and region,” published results have not been stratified by these demographics. CVS Health Provided luck With additional data showing that 81% of participants aged 18-34 said they were concerned about their mental health or the health of their loved ones, compared to 74% in 2022 and 62% in 2020. However, it is unclear how this compares across ages. Other groups.
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Social media has pros and cons when it comes to mental health
Survey results indicate that social media uses mental health in countless ways, both positive and negative. About 36% of participants said social media taught them about mental health issues. Meanwhile, 37% said they believe social media has harmed society as a whole. A third said they are trying to spend less time on social media and have turned off app notifications.
“A lot of public figures are starting to talk about the need for and treatment through social media and telling their personal stories,” Parsons says. “In that sense, it's a very good thing…it's good that people can spread the word and get it out there quickly.”
“We've seen some negative impacts of that as well, from the perspective of people attributing stress and anxiety to things that come through Instagram and other social media — as well as the way it's affected our overall ability to get information,” Parsons adds. We collaborate and cooperate with circles of people who are different from us.
Nearly half of the parents surveyed said they feel social media affects their children's development and perceptions of the world. In addition, more parents care about their children's mental health, at 70%, than their physical health, at 66%.
“Growing evidence suggests that the harmful effects of social media, especially during childhood, are significant and widespread,” says Danovich. “We have a long way to go in effectively addressing these challenges.”
If you need immediate mental health support, call 988 Suicide and Crises Lifeline.
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