A report published by CDC in August 2020 found a tripling of anxiety symptoms and a quadrupling of depression among 5,470 adults surveyed compared with a 2019 sample. Some of the most affected groups were people who had preexisting mental health issues, low-income individuals, people of color, and those close to someone who suffered or died from COVID-19. Among the findings, young adults were the most affected age group. 62.9% of 18- to 24-year-olds reported anxiety or depressive disorder, 25% said they were using more drugs and alcohol to cope with pandemic-related stress, and 25% said they had “seriously considered suicide” in the previous 30 days. Possible reasons are young people may have had more disruption in life events: graduations, weddings, and the senior year of college. All those transitions were disrupted, as well as school and social connections, which we know are very important for young people. In another national survey done in April 2020 by researchers in Boston University found the group in the U.S. with the single biggest rise in depression—up fivefold—was of Asian ethnicity, suggesting the upsurge could reflect the impact of racism and slurs related to the pandemic's origin in China.
My recommendations to cope with the mental crisis are to limit access to the news; maintain healthy sleep, exercise, food, and drink habits; keep a journal; stay connected with loved ones; engage in mindfulness, such as practicing meditation, yoga, breathing technique and listening to soothing music; find professional help. I am glad to report that acupuncture, herbal, and dietary therapy have helped many patients with mental health issues significantly.