CDC: More adults reporting mental health challenges during pandemic

U.S. adults were more likely this June than a year ago to report adverse mental health conditions, substance use and suicidal ideation, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 41% of adults completing the online survey June 24-30 reported an adverse mental or behavioral health condition. This includes 31% who reported anxiety disorder or depressive disorder symptoms; 26% who reported trauma- and stressor-related disorder (TSRD) symptoms related to COVID-19; 13% who reported substance use to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19; and 11% who reported seriously considering suicide in the past 30 days.

The authors recommend that community-level prevention efforts prioritize young adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers and unpaid adult caregivers, who were more likely to report mental health challenges.