Is There an Epidemic - of Anxiety, Depression and Isolation? Can We Fix It?

From Forbes, Feb 12, 2023
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised all global leaders to increase their attention to mental health and well-being, given the rising rates of depression and anxiety. Reasons cited are: loneliness from earlier isolation, deaths of family members and friends, financial worries due to economic dynamics, and off and on again recession dynamics. Within the health community, nurses and doctors, are exhausted from the pandemic.

The article goes on to explore ways anxiety and depression can impact businesses, and what the businesses can do about it: We must find ways to prevent anxiety and depression and reduce the stress of employees and be able to predict health risks, well ahead of the risks of incidents, suicides, increasing sickness days, leave of absence, and serious illnesses developing from long standing health challenges. The cost to productivity and growth is trillions.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/cindygordon/2023/02/12/massive-health-wake-up-call-depression-and-anxiety-rates-have-increased-by-25-in-the-past-year/?sh=369143af1760

In March of 2022, The World Health Organization reported the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%.
One major explanation for the increase is the unprecedented stress caused by the social isolation resulting from the pandemic. Linked to this were constraints on people’s ability to work, seek support from loved ones and engage in their communities. Loneliness, fear of infection, suffering and death for oneself and for loved ones, grief after bereavement and financial worries have also all been cited as stressors leading to anxiety and depression.
https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide

A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.

Although it’s hard to measure social isolation and loneliness precisely, there is strong evidence that many adults aged 50 and older are socially isolated or lonely in ways that put their health at risk. Recent studies found that:

• Social isolation significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
• Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.
• Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
• Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
• Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits.
• https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html

In May 2023:
Today, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. Disconnection fundamentally affects our mental, physical, and societal health. In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives, and lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily.
“Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.”
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states.html

Depression goes along with the isolation and anxiety, and compounds the mental health issues. As mentioned in the article, our mental health care system is way under developed. So there are two important questions:
1. How can we prevent anxiety, lonliness, and depression?
2. What can be done to improve our health care systems to increase and incorporate mental health care?