Researchers say the COVID-19 pandemic will have a profound impact on Oklahomans’ mental health.
The Healthy Minds Policy Initiative looked at past natural disasters and the Great Recession to gauge how the pandemic might affect people over the next 12 months.
"We know there are going to be a lot of people who are even feeling suicidal and even a fair number of people who die from suicide. And also we’re going to see more people using substances, some of them developing what we call substance use disorders and even some of them unfortunately dying from overdoses," said Healthy Minds’ lead consultant Dr. Jim Zanhiser.
Healthy Minds' report projects in the wake of the pandemic and its economic effects, 18,400 additional Oklahomans will attempt suicide and 13,000 will develop substance abuse disorders.
The report also projects up to 30% of children who must be quarantined will experience post-traumatic stress disorder, and kids' risk for mental health problems could increase by as much by 65% depending on how high the unemployment rate increases.
"There will be deaths — mental health–related deaths — as a result of this as well if we don’t have increased focus on mental health. We have to have a comprehensive look at our virus response," said Healthy Minds Senior Director of Policy and Planning Zack Stoycoff.
Stoycoff said lawmakers should take steps like finding as much funding as possible for mental health services, avoiding any changes that could disrupt state services, and ensuring mental health care is treated the same as physical health care.
If you are experiencing anxiety or other mental health problems now, help is available through Family & Children's Services' COPES COVID Emotional Response Support Line. The number is 918-744-4800.
