The Impacts of COVID-19 on a Statewide Population With Mental Illness

What is it about?

The New York State Office of Mental Health developed and distributed a survey to determine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals living with mental illness and receiving services from the public mental health system. We found that there were significant impacts on respondents' mental health and wellbeing, with increased stress and anxiety as well as alcohol and substance use. Respondents also reported experiencing challenges with adverse social determinants of health, including access to transportation, food insecurity, employment barriers, and loss of income. Mental health services were disrupted, but most respondents reported transitioning to telehealth and expressed comfort with the experience. Access to COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment presented many challenges. Overwhelmingly, respondents felt they were receiving adequate support from both providers and family/friends. Moving forward, it is important for policy-makers and providers to be prepared for potential increases in mental health service use as the pandemic continues.

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