There are two recent survey findings from June that drive this point home. The CDC assessed mental health, substance use and suicidal ideation during the pandemic (CDC Survey) where about 41 percent of respondents reported one or more adverse mental or behavioral health condition. Broken down further:
■ 31% reported symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder,
■ 13% started or increased substance use to cope with stress or emotions, and
■ 11% reported having seriously considered suicide in the prior 30 days. Some of the highest-risk groups for suicidal ideation were 18–24 year olds (26%), unpaid caregivers for adults (31%), and essential workers (22%).
Additionally, The Charles Schwab Financial Literacy Survey (Schwab Survey) revealed widespread financial vulnerability, showing 50 percent of all Americans would experience financial hardship if they had to cover an emergency expense of $1,000 or less in the next 30 days. While American workers have been financially vulnerable for a number of years and mental health and substance abuse have been on the rise over the past decade, the pandemic accelerated the trend.
What does this information mean to you and your employees? Read More.
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