WASHINGTON, D.C. — The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to take a toll on mental health nationwide.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
A recent Pew Research Center shows about 41% of adults have experienced psychological distress at least once since March 2020.
READ: Classified records found at Mike Pence’s home in Indiana
This latest national survey shows many people are experiencing anxiety and loneliness.
The Pew Research Center interviewed the same people several times over the last two and half years.
It found a majority of adults under 30 experienced high levels of psychological distress at least once since the pandemic started.
“I think it’s a time of lots of transition - getting into college, graduated from college, having a baby, getting one’s first house, all of those transitions that go in that 18 to 29 age [range] and COVID has really complicated that,” said Dr. Nadine Kaslow, Emory University School of Medicine.
READ: Netflix to crack down on password sharing by end of first quarter
NEW: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid reports of a growing youth mental health crisis, mental health concerns top the list of worries for U.S. parents with children younger than 18 in our new survey. 🧵 https://t.co/8UiPV6dx6u
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) January 24, 2023
The Pew Research Center survey found one of the most common forms of distress is trouble sleeping.
The survey also highlights some disparities. This includes higher levels of distress for low-income families and among minorities who have faced health and financial challenges.
“One of the things that I really worry about is that the people who are struggling the most with their mental health are also having sort of the most challenges financially and sort of in other ways in life,” said Dr. Kaslow. “We really need to be very mindful about that.”
Kaslow also believes this latest survey reflects the long-term psychological effect of the pandemic.
READ: Monterey Park shooting: Coroner releases names of shooting victims
“How is this negatively affecting people’s functioning? Or how are people functioning despite these increased experiences of psychological distress? What are people doing to take care of themselves - to help themselves,” said Kaslow.
Experts say more people are seeking counseling since the pandemic hit. But they also want services to be more accessible especially for low-income families.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group
