Survey: Most US adults feel COVID-19 has made it essential to talk openly about suicide; more than half say it has made them more open to discussing mental health.
A new Harris Poll survey of more than 2000 US adults aged ≥18 years found the majority (81%) say the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more important than ever to make suicde prevention a national priority.
More than half of respondents (52%) also report being more open to talking about mental health as a result of conditions imposed by the pandemic.
Highlights of those responses are offered in the slides below. The online survey was conducted from July 22-24, 2020, among 2072 US adults.
81% of Americans say, as a result of the pandemic, it's more important than ever to make suicide prevention a national priority.
The majority of respondents offer a lot / a great deal of support for initiatives to help promote mental health and suicide prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
56% say: Provide increased services for individuals in settings most affected by COVID-19. 55% say: Provide access to mental health services tailored to needs of communities withhigher rates of COVID-19.
57% say: Provide mental health care where patients already receive their health care. 58% say: Continue to offer covered telehealth therapy services as a permanent option.
56% say: Provide increased services for individuals in settings most affected by COVID-19. 55% say: Provide access to mental health services tailored to needs of communities withhigher rates of COVID-19.
54% say: Ask patients about their mental health as a regular part of every primary care visit. 53% say: Increase specialized crisis response teams to respond to mental health crises vs sending police.
51% say: Increase investment in approaches to prevent or intervene, before a mental health crisis occurs. 51% say: Support efforts that encourage people to talk more openly about challenges related to mental health and suicide.
Adults show greater comfort levels talking about mental health vs suicide. 58% are comfortable talking openly about mental health in public; 49% are comfortable talking openly about suicide in public.
95% say they would do something if someone close to them was thinking about suicide, but...
69% identified barriers that would keep them frm discussing suicide: 31% said not knowing what to say; 28% said not having enough knowledge; 19% said not feeling comfortable with the topic.
73% of Americans say they are more aware of caring for their own mental health during the pandemic and many rely on positive coping methods (eg, exercise, a healthy diet, adequate rest).
73% of Americans would tell someone if they were having suicidal thoughts; many sources of support were identified...
I would tell someone if I were having suicidal thoughts - and that person for approximately one-third of respondents would be a mental health provider (34%); a family member (33%); a spouse or significant other (32%).
The top sources for resources about coping with suicide, for themselves or a loved one, include Mental health provider (50%); a doctor or PCP (43%); a hot line or crisis line (41%); and, internet searches (35%).
Technology plays an important role in how Americans access mental health: 25% have worked with a mental health provider via telehelath; 20% have used mental health apps; 19% have engaed with another healthcare provider via telehealth.