We have been living with the coronavirus pandemic for around a year now, and studies show that, because of this unique situation, mental health issues and suicide numbers are higher than they have ever been. According to the CDC, approximately 41% of U.S. adults report struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse. But even before the coronavirus hit, mental illnesses among adults and young people were on the rise. And alarmingly, 60% of youth with mental health issues, including depression, do not receive any treatment.
If you or your child is suffering from mental health issues, it is important to get help, but many people are worried that they can’t afford it. In fact, during the pandemic, the number of adults with mental illness who are uninsured went up for the first time since the ACA was passed in 2010. But you should know that there are affordable comprehensive health insurance plans out there, and at EZ.Insure, we make it our mission to find these plans for our customers. EZ works with the top rated companies in the country, so we can find you a great plan that will save you money, and help ease the burden of healthcare costs.
The Rise In Numbers
According to a study done by Mental Health America:
- 21% of U.S. adults experience symptoms of mental illness each year, or approximately 1 in 5 adults.
- 9.7% of youth in the U.S. now have severe depression, compared to 9.2% in last year’s data.
- From January to September 2020, 315,220 people sought anxiety screens, which is a 93% increase over the 2019 total number of screens.
- From January to September 2020, 534,784 people were screened for depression, a 62% increase over the 2019 total number of screens.
- More people are reporting frequent thoughts of suicide and self-harm than have ever been recorded.
- The number of youth ages 11-17 who accessed mental health screenings was 9% higher than the average number for 2019.
- African Americans had the highest average percent change over time for anxiety and depression, and Native Americans had the highest average percent change over time for suicidal ideation.
The Effect Of Mental Illness
Mental health issues affect more than just your mood and thoughts. They can also affect your overall health; for example, people who suffer from depression have a 40% higher risk of developing heart disease. Mental illness can also take a major toll on many other aspects of people’s lives. For example:
- High school students with symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out of school than students who do not report any symptoms.
- Serious mental illness can interfere with the ability to keep a job, leading to $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year.
- Approximately 21% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition.
- Approximately 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system are diagnosed with a mental illness.
- Depression is a leading cause of disability around the world.
Mental health issues can ultimately lead to suicide, which is highest among those who do not receive help. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America, and the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34. The suicide rate was higher in the year 2020 than ever before.
There is no shame in receiving help. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
The cost of treatment should not get in the way of getting help for any symptoms of mental illness. If you feel like you cannot seek help because you do not have enough insurance coverage or cannot afford health insurance, we can help. EZ’s assistance is completely free, so you do not have to worry about paying to find an affordable health insurance plan. We care about getting you the help you need. We will provide you with your own agent who will compare all available plans in your area and provide you with quotes in minutes. We will not only find you the best plan possible, but we will also sign you up for free. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-350-1890.
