The Impact of Covid on Depression & Suicide Rates

The year 2020 was a tough year for everyone. A global pandemic caused a rollercoaster of emotions. People were anxious, stressed, nervous, and afraid. Businesses shut down. Furloughs and layoffs were heavily in effect. Unemployment skyrocketed. Masks covered faces and emotions. Vaccines were implemented. An increase in cases and death counts brought on lockdowns, which also caused feelings of isolation and depression.

Individuals in essential roles like doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers, grocery store workers, and teachers had to learn how to adapt. They showed up for work day after day, witnessing and being exposed to sickness, disease, heartbreak, and death. And on top of that, they were placed in the tough position of consistently putting themselves and their families at risk.

Let's take a look at how COVID-19 impacted depression and suicide rates.

Mental Health Diagnoses

COVID-19 brought on a lot of changes and almost a new way to live your life for most people across the globe. Cases of anxiety and depression increased during the pandemic. Daily routines were impacted. Schools went from in the classroom to virtual learning. Many businesses had to close down for weeks at a time during lockdowns. Some businesses had to allow their workers to work remotely in order not to close their doors. Some companies could never fully recover and had to keep their doors closed or closed forever.

This meant that people lost their livelihoods. Furloughs and layoffs went into effect. The job search increased. The unemployment rate increased—all of these changes brought on a lot of stress, anxiety, and depression. Individuals already experiencing mental health conditions before COVID-19 experienced worsened signs and symptoms.

Substance Abuse

Dependency on drugs, alcohol, and other substances increased during the global pandemic. Individuals began turning to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with their feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, and boredom. Drug overdoses showed a significant increase during the global pandemic. The number of deaths due to drug overdoses during 2020 was the highest number that occurred during a twelve-month period.

Suicide Rates

Along with an increase in COVID-19 cases, mental health issues, and substance abuse, suicide rates also changed during 2020. Experts believed that COVID-19 would have caused suicide rates to rise due to its impact on the population. The suicide rate actually dropped by 5%. During wars or natural disasters, suicide rates tend to drop because the world feels connected and like they need to fight together to survive. Over time, this feeling is likely to decrease, especially if no noticeable change is present.

Although the suicide rate shows a drop in the population overall, suicides may have risen in nonwhite Americans. COVID-19 had a greater impact on communities of color. Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives were more like than white Americans to be hospitalized and die from COVID-19. Although everyone may have been affected in their own ways during the pandemic, minority groups tend to be hit a little harder during tough times or economic challenges.

Seeking Help

Depression is not something that you can handle on your own. The good news is that you don't have to go through this alone despite what your depression is telling you. If you or a loved one has been struggling with signs and symptoms of depression, reaching out to a therapist is a great first step to getting back on track towards living your life to the fullest again.

COVID-19 was hard on everyone. You're not alone in any of your thoughts and feelings. Reach out today to set up a consultation for depression counseling.