The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, new report found that during June 24-30, 2020, 11 percent of young adults seriously considered suicide. 40 percent of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use during the pandemic, including anxiety/depression systems or trauma or stressor-related disorder symptoms.
The CDC’s new data included self-reported responses from 5,412 adults who completed an online survey in late June. Over 25% of young people 18 to 24 years old reported being suicidal in that time period. Many of them being essential workers, 21.7 percent, are among those with high risk for suicidal ideation as well. Also, unpaid caregivers who are looking after older or sick loved ones, many at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, reported feeling suicidal due to stresses of the pandemic.
The pandemic has contributed to increased instances of depression and anxiety across all age groups, especially young adults. Compared to last year, the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms are four and three times higher, respectively. Approximately 13 percent of respondents indicated that they increased or started using substances to cope with stress during June.
