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A report from the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee examines how COVID-19’s health and economic repercussions have led to “an unprecedented mental health crisis” in America. The 13-page report summarizes earlier surveys and studies that have found:
- Two-thirds of Americans fear that they or their loved ones will be exposed to the virus.
- More than 12 million Americans are unemployed, and, since February, more than 5 million have given up looking for work.
- Nearly one-third of adult Americans are having trouble paying for typical household expenses.
Data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation project more than 360,000 deaths by the end of 2020 under current circumstances, and upwards of 430,000 if mandates continue to be eased. The Federal Reserve expects the unemployment rate to remain above pre-pandemic levels until at least the end of 2021. These intense stresses likely will have a growing and lasting impact on Americans’ mental health.