Depression is enticing the people of the USA at a fast pace, and in the wake of this situation, the country’s health panel has, for the first time, has appealed that an ‘anxiety checkup’ and mental health examination of each adult below the age of 65 should take place in the country. The request comes looking at the fact that a high number of people in the USA are grappling with problems related to stress-inducing illnesses, COVID-19, inflation, economic hardships, and uncertainties.
The US Preventive Services Task Force Advisory Group has said that this checkup will help reduce people’s mental stress, while earlier, this issue was neglected constantly. Back in the start of the year 2022, the panel had requested for the commencement of similar checkups for children and adolescents as well. Reports on mental health are being prepared by this panel of the Human Health and Service Department from before the pandemic hit.
As per the experts involved in the research, reasons behind the increase in anxiety among people are increased crime rates, lockdown-related stress, and deaths of near and dear ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force, in its research, has found out that from August 2020 to February 2021, cases of depression and anxiety among adults have recorded a jump from 36.4% to 41.5%. Many psychologists believe that the anxiety screening will only be effective when people will also be told about ways to get rid of mental health issues. Another challenge associated with the task will be to arrange for resources and staff at such a large scale.
Following the appeals made by the panel, opinions of Americans are being taken till 17th October. It is also to be noted that the USA is not the only country which is witnessing such changes related to the mental health of its people. As per WHO, a 25% hike in depression and anxiety among people was recorded during the first wave of COVID-19. According to the task force, around 25% males in the USA, and around 40% of the females fall prey to anxiety in the country. Researches have also revealed that women are twice as vulnerable as men when it comes to suffering from anxiety.
