Fears about the novel coronavirus, the economic meltdown, and prolonged self-isolation are taking an emotional toll on Americans. Calls to the federal mental health crisis hotline are 900 percent greater than this time last year.
In normal times, one in five American adults deals with mental health issues. Anxiety is the most common mental disorder; 6.8 million people in the U.S. — roughly 3 percent of the adult population — suffer from generalized anxiety disorder.
Anxiety increases in response to global events. There is evidence that Americans felt increased anxiety after 9/11 and suicides increased during the Great Depression and World War II. Financial stress can also exacerbate anxiety and depression and 40 percent of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency.
But in the unique moment of time we find ourselves in today, Americans are currently dealing with increased stress, decreased cash flow, and an inability to leave their house to seek mental health services.
Tele-health poses an opportunity to address some of those issues.
Read the full piece
