Pandemic Isolation Leads To Fewer Mental Health Diagnoses

Despite reports of big jumps in anxiety medication scripts, alcohol treatment admits, crisis center waitlists and suicide attempts, actual mental health diagnosis was down among children and older adults in 2020 vs. the prior year, mainly due to fewer in-person interactions like school and church that lead to earlier intervention and diagnoses for depression, anxiety or dementia, according to new findings from the Anthem State of the Nation's Mental Health Report. Anthem found a 10% overall decline in mental health diagnosis among children and a 13% overall drop for adolescents diagnosed with ADHD.  Experts theorize this is because children involved with distance learning have had less face time with teachers and counselors, which often plays a role in diagnosis. This has been the issue for a 13 year old 7th grader in Hartford whose isolation has led to more than 9 suicide attempts. The positive is re-entry to in-person school has allowed teachers to monitor and form a plan and, importantly, diagnose and treat the issue. Getting the teen involved in a daily sports exercise program has been one part of the effort but as the girl’s teacher said, “This is going to be a long haul for her.” Nearly three out of four mental health specialists and primary care doctors agree, estimating that mental health repercussions from the virus will last up to three years or longer, the study found.