Concerns about mental health are higher than during COVID-19

Americans’ concerns about mental health have increased since the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey from CVS Health.

Morning Consult, who CVS Health commissioned for the study, conducted the poll from March 19 through March 21, 2024. A little over 2,000 individuals participated through an online platform.

The results registered growing apprehension about mental health, with 65 percent of adults acknowledging concerns about their own mental health or a family member or friend’s mental health condition. This represents a 15 percentage point increase from 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic was in full swing. It is also six percentage points higher than in 2022.

Alarm over mental health conditions has grown so pervasive and significant that it competes with other top concerns among Americans. For example, respondents were nearly as worried about the national state of mental health as they were about the national economy. More parents were concerned about their children’s mental health than physical health.

“Uncertainty around the future, current events and social media continue to drive anxiety among adults,” said Taft Parsons III, MD, vice president and chief psychiatric officer at CVS Health.

Technology has been a double-edged sword for mental health. On the one hand, 36 percent of adults learned about mental health issues through social media. Nearly half of all adults reported that they use mental well-being apps to regulate their mental health (48 percent). Additionally, 55 percent turned to therapists for mental health support.

“Our increasing use of technology has helped increase access to mental health care – CVS Health has had over 43 million mental health virtual visits since 2020 – and created a way for people to talk openly about the topic, reducing stigma,” explained Parsons III.

On the other hand, half of parents attested to the way that social media has impacted child development and has shaped their children’s perspectives of the world. Overall, a sizable portion of society held that social media had done more harm than good. A little less than four out of ten American adults agreed that social media has had a damaging influence on society.

“As we navigate the impacts social media has on mental health, it has become increasingly important that we highlight its limitations and set guardrails for ourselves and our children,” Parsons III emphasized.

In an effort to loosen social media’s grasp on their mental health, a third of adults have muted their social media app notifications. Many are also restricting the time they spend on social media platforms.

“Our priority, across CVS Health, remains improving access to quality virtual and in-person mental health care and ensuring we have resources in place to address the unique needs of individuals,” Parsons III explained.

CVS Health’s response to the crisis has leaned heavily on increasing access to mental health screenings and services. The company has also created solutions for at risk populations, such as the LGBTQ+ community and youths. Other efforts promote positive self-image and wellness.

CVS Health reported that 78 percent of patients who received in-person or virtual mental health services at a MinuteClinic had fewer symptoms of depression. And Aetna’s efforts to reduce suicide attempts resulted in a 16 percent decrease in attempted suicides among members compared to 2019.