National Poll Shows 'Concerning' Impact of COVID on Mental Health

National Poll Shows 'Concerning' Impact of COVID on Americans' Mental Health

Megan Brooks

May 03, 2021

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Concern and anxiety around COVID-19 remains high among Americans, with more people reporting mental health effects from the pandemic this year than last, and parents concerned about the mental health of their children, results of a new poll by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) show.  

Although the overall level of anxiety has decreased from last year's APA poll, "the degree to which anxiety still reigns is concerning," APA President Jeffrey Geller, MD, MPH, told Medscape Medical News.

The results of the latest poll were presented at the virtual American Psychiatric Association 2021 Annual Meeting and based on an online survey conducted March 26 to April 5 among a sample of 1000 adults age 18 years or older.

Serious Mental Health Hit

In the new poll, about 4 in 10 Americans (41%) report they are more anxious than last year, down from just over 60%.

Young adults aged 18-29 years (49%) and Hispanic/Latinos (50%) are more likely to report being more anxious now than a year ago. Those 65 or older (30%) are less apt to say they feel more anxious than last year.

The latest poll also shows that Americans are more anxious about family and loved ones getting COVID-19 (64%) than about catching the virus themselves (49%).

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