Predictions of more suicides, overdoses and domestic abuse during COVID are coming true
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11/12/2020 Predictions of more suicides, overdoses and domestic abuse during COVID are coming true - ABC News
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Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the stay-at-home measures and
disruptions to daily life that aimed to slow the spread of the virus and save
lives led many public health specialists to worry that the nation also could
see an uptick in suicides, drug overdoses and domestic violence.
Nine months later, those grim predictions look like they're coming true.
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"There is a mental health wave to this pandemic," Dr. Ken Duckworth, chief
medical officer of the National Alliance for Mental Illness, told ABC News.
"We as a species don't do well with uncertainty."
The pandemic, for many Americans, has exacerbated already-stressful
scenarios -- deaths of loved ones, illnesses, loss of income -- according to
psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe.
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Additionally, stay-at-home orders and school closures -- important actions
to prevent virus spread -- created downstream consequences such as social
isolation, eroding support networks and additional financial strain.
MORE: Unemployment, isolation: COVID-19's mental health impact
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11/12/2020 Predictions of more suicides, overdoses and domestic abuse during COVID are coming true - ABC News
All of these factors are contributing to more suicides, overdoses and
violence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And
specialists warn that this mental health pandemic within the virus
pandemic also will disproportionately affect Blacks, Hispanics, the elderly,
people of lower socioeconomic status of all races, and health care workers.
Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images, FILE
A teenager spends another day on the family couch, staying indoors in extended isolatio...Read More
Many of these accelerating public health crises already were worsening
before COVID-19.
In 2018, the U.S had the highest age-adjusted suicide rates since 1941. By
June, a CDC survey of 5,470 US adults found that one-third reported
anxiety or depression symptoms. About 10% said they had considered
suicide during the last month, and the rate of suicidal thoughts was highest
among unpaid caregivers, essential workers, Hispanic or Black respondents
and young adults.
People age 18 to 25 may be the most affected group, Duckworth explained.
"We need to take a look at the age impact," Duckworth added. "In the age
where identity is developed, young adults are missing college."
MORE: Popular anti-anxiety medications may be highly addictive, FDA says.
But is the warning too late?
The opioid epidemic, previously considered the greatest public health
threat in the U.S., also has worsened since the virus outbreak. After
overdose deaths briefly plateaued in 2017 -- stricter regulations of
prescription drugs were enacted -- deaths began creeping upward again
because of illegal synthetic substitutes like fentanyl.
"We were making some improvement in terms of treatment options for
opioid addiction prior to the pandemic," Dr. Harshal Kirane, medical
director of Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research, told ABC news.
"However, there were still major treatment gaps that have worsened now
that we have a superimposed pandemic."
More than 40 states have reported increases in opioid-related deaths since
then pandemic struck, according to the American Medical Association.
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11/12/2020 Predictions of more suicides, overdoses and domestic abuse during COVID are coming true - ABC News
Overdoses -- both fatal and non-fatal -- have increased 20% compared with
the same time period in 2019, according to the Overdose Detection Mapping
Application Program.
Enric Fontcuberta/EPA via Shutterstock
A nurse provides cares to a patient during a house call visit in Barcelona, Catalonia, nort...Read More
"The incidence of first-time users is also on the rise," Kirane added.
"Isolation, economic pressure and family conflict during quarantine are all
factors for this."
Reports of domestic violence are also are rising, with many experts worried
the cases reported are but a small fraction of those happening. Just in New
York City, "there has been a substantial increase in calls to the domestic
violence hotline," said Kelli Owens, executive director of the New York State
Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.
"The calls to the hotlines dropped in the first few weeks of the pandemic,
increased by 30% in April, and increased by 76% by August. They have
remained elevated into September," she added.
The United Nations warns that the pandemic is likely to undermine efforts
to end gender-based violence globally, while stay-at-home and social
distancing orders may effectively trap the abused with their abusers.
MORE: Public health crises collide: Substance abuse linked to COVID-19
susceptibility
The CDC recognized that violence is a serious public health problem. It
affects people in all stages of life, and many of violence survivors suffer
from long-term physical, mental and emotional health problems.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/predictions-suicides-overdoses-domestic-abuse-covid-coming-true/story?id=73836752 3/611/12/2020 Predictions of more suicides, overdoses and domestic abuse during COVID are coming true - ABC News
"It is important to keep in mind the domestic violence is usually under-
reported," Owen added.
Public health specialists and policy makers are taking steps to try to
address these alarming trends. For example, many states have eased
restrictions for telehealth, making it easier to access a medical provider
during a crisis. Some are making it easier to prescribe medication for
opioid-use disorder without an in-person visit.
STOCK IMAGE/Shutterstock
A model poses holding his head in an undated stock image.
Over the summer, the CDC released guidance for people experiencing
abuse and for those coping with extreme stress during the pandemic. The
CDC recommends making a plan if you live in an unsafe home, practicing
self-care as much as possible and trying to maintain virtual social
connections with people outside your immediate home.
Community-level solutions should prioritize young adults, racial and
ethnic minorities, essential workers and adult caregivers, according to the
CDC, which said these efforts should include economic support, efforts to
reduce stresses related to racial discrimination, promoting community
social connections and care for those at risk of suicide.
"This pandemic isn't going anywhere," Duckworth said. "My advice is:
Lower expectations, stay connected with people, reach out for professional
help when needed, don't skip your flu shot and remain physically active."
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, The National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support. Call 1-800-273-
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/predictions-suicides-overdoses-domestic-abuse-covid-coming-true/story?id=73836752 4/611/12/2020 Predictions of more suicides, overdoses and domestic abuse during COVID are coming true - ABC News
8255 for help.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, call the 24/7 National Domestic
Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. If you're unable to speak safely, you can log
on to thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522. The Safe Center also has a 24/7
hotline that can be reached at 516-542-0404.
For resources regarding mental health treatment, the NAMI HelpLine is a
free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals
and support to people living with mental health conditions, their family
members and their caregivers. Call 1-800-950-NAMI or text NAMI to 741741.
Yalda Safai, M.D., M.P.H., a psychiatry resident in New York City, is a
contributor to ABC News Medical Unit.
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