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CDC survey: 22 percent of essential workers and 31 percent of unpaid caregivers seriously considered suicide in previous month

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Illinois

The most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 41% of respondents have faced mental health challenges related to COVID-19 and steps taken to combat the pandemic, including social distancing and stay-at-home orders.

Taken from June 24-30, about one-third of respondents, or 31%, said they were experiencing anxiety or depression symptoms. Thirteen percent said they had started or increased substance use and 26% said they were experiencing trauma or stress-related disorder symptoms.

Eleven percent of respondents said they had seriously considered suicide in 30 days prior to the survey. […]

Respondents 18 to 24 years old were most likely to suffer mentally from the pandemic, with 75% of the age group saying they had at least one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom. About half, or 52%, of people aged 25 to 44 years old said the same. […]

Suicidal thoughts were higher in minority racial and ethnic groups. Nearly 19% of Hispanic respondents reported suicidal ideations and 15% of non-Hispanic Black respondents said the same.

About 22% of essential workers and 31% of unpaid caregivers also reported seriously considering suicide in the 30 days prior to the survey.

The CDC report is here.

* Rosalynn Carter brought up the challenges facing unpaid caregivers during her and her husband’s DNC presentation last night…

We’ve known and admired Joe and Jill for many years, and most recently have worked with them on tackling the demands faced by the more than 53 million unpaid caregivers in our country who are juggling work and other family responsibilities and putting their own physical and mental health and well-being at risk.

How are you and yours holding up?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:07 am

Comments

Definitely in the “increased substance use” camp. But with my favorite bar mostly closed, my weekly spend has gone way down (but volume way up).

Comment by Homebody Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:08 am
From 30,000 ft., each day gets a little tougher as the world becomes more and more hateful and everyone retreats to their bunker to quarantine and throw bombs.

At ground level, ah - it’s another day and we’ll muddle through.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:10 am
cant figure out percentage of responders. Doctor son is fine. Daughter in LincolnPark distraught over the cancelled baptism due to ongoing violence. Pontoon starter very touchy.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:15 am
My selves are fine, but my wife is stressed to the max dealing with students (and parents) as the academic year opens at the university where she works. First thing many of those young Einstens did was start partying together. This won’t take long.

Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:17 am
Doing fine. Transition back to school albeit at-home learning will be a challenge. Just got to let it roll and work through it. I’m a lot less worried vs having the kids going to school.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:22 am
== About 22% of essential workers and 31% of unpaid caregivers also reported seriously considering suicide in the 30 days prior to the survey.==
What number of essential workers and caregivers contemplate suicide in non COVID-19 times?

Comment by 17% Solution Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:25 am
In the essential category and have a family member taking treatments for cancer. What hurts me deeply is how callous some are being about just simply wearing a mask and wearing it properly. I know this topic has been cussed and discussed on CapFax, but this wears you down when you are trying to provide essential services safely and other fellow citizens scoff or totally ignore mask requirements. Wear your mask and spread some hope. Don’t wear one and you are helping spread the problem.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:26 am
I have a lot of sympathy for extroverts (the majority of folks). As an introvert, not much has changed for me. No shame in seeking help.

Comment by downstateR Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:41 am
My daughter was supposed to start the 10th grade tomorrow, we just got the text that it’s being moved back to the 24th, we’ll see if that holds. My wife is still working in the most dangerous occupation during COVID-19, dental hygiene, so far so good but all of the PPE is starting to wear her down. I’m still working from home and living like a hermit because of underlying conditions, asthma, hypertension, heart attack survivor, etc… I’m still getting tested once a week just in case I have to go on campus. The isolation is starting to wear on all of us, I just wish people would quit feeding this virus so we can all get past it.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:46 am
Mine are well. We have kept things as normal as can be and have instituted a return to the old days of backyard play. When I have made it home, a trip to the woods just to listen, watch and enjoy the natural beauty of the world.

I have been busy with work which keeps me motivated and mentally healthy. I also see by photo’s one of the little ones found my infantry field manuals and I now have a covered foxhole in the backyard.

If boredom has bothered you, and you have a place you can go safely to just get away from home, do it.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:48 am
Not that we want this to be a contest, but the same is true for youth. Over a quarter of young adults considered suicide during pandemic. For children, adolescents, and young adults, the fear, stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions produced by the current state of affairs will certainly be worse than any infection they get.
No matter your politics or perspective, keep an open ear for young people in crisis due to the isolation caused by a lack of school or lack of interaction in society. https://www.cbs46.com/news/cdc-over-a-quarter-of-young-adults-considered-suicide-during-pandemic/article_750f7520-de4d-11ea-af6d-6babf06e46f3.html?fbclid=IwAR0uM5unq-FyjcgXU8q6FZfnVNL9HYKZylriXzZ8AhGqwX3XAb41CndKT94

Comment by Ed Equity Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:56 am
So-so. Fortunate to have a job that lends itself to working at home and where I had the ability to trade salary for quality-of-life/lower hours - I can imagine how job pressure + covid stress could be unbearable.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 10:59 am
Overall okay - but beginning to feel a little isolated.
Only seeing a speaking to a live person once a week or so on my trip to the library is starting to wear thin. But, since I live down here where very, very, few even believe any of this is real, let alone follow any guidelines, I feel like I am pretty much forced by others ignorance to continue to avoid most personal interactions.

Comment by DownSouth Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 11:02 am
Stress just keeps piling on. Still staying ahead of it, but seems to slowly be closing in. But then I just laugh at the stupidity of it all, and go on.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 11:11 am
Last 3-4 days, struggling a bit. When coronavirus things restrict, and the frustrations begin, keeping calm or trying not to lose it, it’s tough over 6-7 months.

Two really important things, for me…

Ask others, sincerely, how they are doing and listen, empathize, sympathize, care. It matters so make the question matter.

Give an honest answer to your mental health. If you feel bad, say so. There’s no medal to let mental health deteriorate. I’ve laughed, I’ve also cried. I’ve been so incredibly lucky too. Still, the grind on the emotional well being is real. The human condition needs connection, we’ve never been a species that as a whole welcomes isolation. We’re communal, we have family by all definitions, we need interaction. Not having it, tell someone when they ask.

It’s been a tougher last 3-4 days.

Stay well, all.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 11:12 am
My power was off last Monday PM until almost exactly the same time Thursday afternoon and I am shocked at just how much that messed with my sleep schedule. I was thrilled this morning to see the sun was up when I woke up. So I’m making progress, but I didn’t think this was going to be the struggle it is.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 11:21 am
Good things happening if you look for them. Seeing almost everyone wear mask at the local farm stand and Target. In-class instruction started for the youngest today. The middle kid has 50%, in-person college classes. The seven-day moving average of new cases nationwide has dropped 30% from July peak.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 11:23 am
Get to read a lot more. Coping. That’s all there is, really. But, this does explain why it’s necessary to safely open as much as possible. Key work, obviously; safely. So many sad side effects to all of this.

Comment by A Guy Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 11:39 am
Frustrated with people who think “Masks must be worn at all times” means “Wear a mask if you feel like it”. But grateful for the majority of folks who care enough about others to wear masks everywhere.

Honestly, I’m okay now. As things have started to open, I’ve had more human contact. The weather is nice enough to sit on my back porch or go for walks. I’m a bit worried, though, about what it will be like when the weather turns.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 12:02 pm
“I also see by photo’s one of the little ones found my infantry field manuals and I now have a covered foxhole in the backyard.”

LOL

Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 12:18 pm
Best friend/neighbor committed suicide last week. Topic really hit home. Awful for all involved. Don’t believe Covid had anything to do with it, but it certainly didn’t help. Talk with each other, tell those you love that you do, stay well. Papa

Comment by Papa2008 Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 12:28 pm
Lt. Guv put into words what I feel. Really despondent at a high level due to the intransigence of a lot of Americans and sure there is going to be a massive surge very soon.

But at the individual level, it’s another day and we’ll get through

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 12:29 pm
Rose colored glasses won’t work…a vaccine may.

Nothing has essentially changed from the day COVID 19 was detected…170,000 dead…and counting.

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 12:30 pm
“Shower the people you love with love”… is the most beautiful lyric and never more applicable than today.

Isn’t the internet wonderful?…in this way.

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 12:43 pm
A bit depressed over Covid-related, and unrelated issues. But for those on the front lines, the strain can be unbelievable. Let people know you’re there, whether in-person, by phone, email. If you’re hurting, please reach out to someone. It’s ok; sometimes life really stinks and it’s hard to cope with it all.

Comment by revvedup Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 1:07 pm
Frustrated with persistent community attitudes which spurn prevention measures. In small town places especially, who has the courage to speak out against your idiot neighbors?

Comment by Morningstar Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 1:13 pm
I work in mental health and the last few weeks have been brutal. I’ve had to send many more than the average number of teenagers to higher level care milieus for suicidal ideation. The conflicts between families regarding the social isolation rules and then the rules themselves are devastating kids. Seeing so many kids in such distress makes me sad and angry because it didn’t have to be this way. We just have too many people in our country who can’t put up with a bit of discomfort for the greater good. It’s demoralizing.

Comment by Moderate Mom Wednesday, Aug 19, 20 @ 5:20 pm
Hoping that we all come out of Covid with more empathy and compassion. We seriously need to understand that the degree of isolation and loneliness we feel so intensely and feel unbearable right now are just a small taste of what we have casually condemned a significant portion of our population to feel on a daily basis not just for months, but for years and sometimes to endure the rest of their lives while caged and alone in prison. We’ve not cared about their welfare and sanity. Removing someone from society is one thing. Caging and depriving them of all company while forcing them to live in degredated physical conditions with little or no medical care is inhumane.

Comment by larry saunders Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 3:20 pm