An annual report into death by several factors tied to mental health and wellbeing — otherwise referred to as “deaths of despair” — topped 150,000 in 2018. The report, authored by the Trust for America’s Health and the Well Being Trust and based on 2018 data, shows that while opioid deaths declined slightly, those induced by alcohol, suicide, synthetic opioids and psychostimulants continued to rise.

These trends, however, could be exacerbated by COVID-19’s impact on mental wellness, the groups warned. They recommend that public health organizations prioritize efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on mental health, substance use, suicide and overall well-being by expanding existing wellness programs and developing new ones to reach those at risk.

AHA and its affiliate groups have a number of resources, provided by the following organizations, to help medical professionals, behavioral health providers and the general public maintain mental and emotional well-being during and after the COVID-19 pandemic:

Related News Articles

Headline
Jon Ulven, Ph.D., behavioral health psychologist and chair of adult psychology at Sanford Health, details the fragile behavioral health landscape in rural…
Headline
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration June 30 released a proposed rule to remove what remains of its emergency temporary standard for occupational…
Headline
Kevin McEwan, DNP, R.N., chief nursing officer at Madison Memorial Hospital, shares how Medicaid provides vital behavioral health and maternal and child care…
Headline
Boston Medical Center’s Jeff Schneider, M.D., associate chief medical officer, designated institutional official and chair of the Graduate Medical Education…
Blog
Even before the COVID pandemic, the mental health and wellness of our young people was failing. The pandemic exacerbated the crisis and made it difficult for…
Headline
A new AHA video highlights how Corewell Health is transforming youth behavioral health care access in rural Michigan through school-based clinics and…