Understanding Inequality of Mental Health of US Adults during the Covid19 Pandemic

Abstract

US adults experienced significant mental health shocks during the Covid-19 pandemic. Various factors, including quarantine and segregation from family members, anxiously waiting for test results, illness or even death of family members, loss of job or income, and social and economic disruptions, exacerbated mental health problems in the US. Using the Household Pulse Survey conducted by the U.S Census Bureau from April 2020 to October 2021, this study finds that more than half of U.S adults experienced symptoms of anxiety (61.48%) and depression (52.11%), doubled the 2019 level. Second, 21.11% took prescription medication and less than 10% received professional counseling or therapy (9.96%) for mental health, on a par with the 2019 level (15.8% and 9.5%). many people had an unmet need for mental health care (10.83%). Third, inequality of mental health was pronounced. Female, younger age cohorts, and low-income adults were more likely to experience mental health shocks, receive mental health services, and have an unmet need of mental health care. Compared with non-Hispanic white adults, Hispanic and non-Hispanic black adults had a higher probability of experiencing mental health problems and having an unmet need of mental health care, but they were less likely to receive mental health service.