Aetna Behavioral Health recently published a white paper that addresses the toll that COVID-19 has had on mental well-being in the U.S. The Health Pulse Survey was conducted between January 22–January 25, 2021, collecting a national sample of 2,200 adults ages 18-65+. The goal of the survey was to gain insights into COVID-19 and mental health, mental health concerns and perceived obstacles, vaccine sentiments and telehealth sentiments. Below are some takeaways:
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- Accessing mental health services—especially for those communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19—will help stem the long-term effects of this mental health crisis across all demographics. When it comes to finding help, there is disparity among black and brown communities: while 40 percent of Black Americans indicated being very confident they can find mental health support, 30 percent of Hispanics doubt they can find mental health help.
- Young adults showed signs of struggling the most. A staggering 65 percent of 18–34 year olds have had concerns about their own mental health or that of household members, family or friends since the COVID-19 outbreak.
- From April 2020 through December 2020, more than 60 percent of outpatient mental health visits were conducted via telemedicine, up from just one percent in 2019. Telemedicine has been instrumental in providing mental health services during the pandemic.
What does this mean to you?
As the white paper states, Americans are anticipated to struggle with varying degrees of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) due to coronavirus, even when our country returns to “life as usual.” Post–COVID-19 Stress Disorder (PCSD) is becoming an increasingly popular term among mental health professionals, when referring to anxiety and depression that is expected to linger for possibly years after the pandemic is over.
Meritain Health members thrive when using Aetna Resources for Living, in addition to other services and point solutions. We can help you find the solutions that help members with their behavioral health needs. Contact your Meritain Health representative today to learn more about what options may be right for your plan.
Source: “The Impact of COVID-19 on mental well-being in the U.S.” (https://cvshealth.com/news-and-insights/articles/understanding-the-mental-health-impact-of-covid-19)
