Concerns higher than during COVID-19 pandemic,
with the effects of social media a driving factor
WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- A recent CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS)/Morning Consult
survey found that a majority of adults have significant concerns
about their mental health and rates across the country continue to
rise.
- Two-thirds (65%) of adults have experienced concerns about
their own mental health or the mental health of their friends and
family, which is up six percentage points from 2022 and 15
percentage points from 2020.
- About eight in 10 adults (77%) are concerned about mental
health in the country, viewing it as a top concern in line with
issues such as the economy (81%).
- Seventy percent of parents are concerned about their children's
mental health, which is higher than their concerns about their
children's physical health (66%).
- Respondents are likely to turn to both mental well-being apps
(48%) and therapists (55%) for care.
"Mental health became a top concern in 2020 and it has only
risen since," said Taft Parsons III, M.D., Vice President and Chief
Psychiatric Officer, CVS Health. "Uncertainty around the future,
current events and social media continue to drive anxiety among
adults. Our priority, across CVS Health, remains improving access
to quality virtual and in-person mental health care and ensuring we
have resources in place to address the unique needs of
individuals."
Americans are concerned about social media's implications on
their mental health
The survey also found that nearly four in 10 adults (37%)
believe social media has hurt society at-large.
- As a result, a third of adults have started to turn off
notifications for social media apps and are attempting to spend
less time on social media.
- About half of parents feel that social media is impacting their
children's perceptions of the world and their children's
development.
- On the other hand, more than one in three adults (36%) report
that social media has taught them about mental health issues.
"Our increasing use of technology has helped increase access to
mental health care – CVS Health has had over 43 million mental
health virtual visits since 2020 – and created a way for people to
talk openly about the topic, reducing stigma," added Parsons III.
"But as we navigate the impacts social media has on mental health,
it has become increasingly important that we highlight its
limitations and set guardrails for ourselves and our children."
CVS Health's commitment to mental health care
As the leading health solutions company with resources that
expand nationally and in communities across the country, CVS Health
continues to increase accessibility to both in-person and virtual
mental health services:
- In select states, consumers have access to in-person and
virtual mental health services at MinuteClinic®. Approximately 78%
of patients report a reduction in their depression
symptoms1.
- MinuteClinic offers depression screenings virtually and in all
MinuteClinic locations.
- CVS Health launched Be Seen Be Heard to increase depression
screenings among underserved communities.
- In April, as part of its Centering Youth Mental Health program,
the CVS Health Foundation awarded grants to the Greater Flint
Health Coalition, Kentucky Youth Advocates and Reinvent South
Stockton Coalition to support their work to provide accessible
adolescent and young adult mental health services.
- Project Health includes depression screenings at all their
events.
- Resources for Living (RFL) takes a comprehensive, preventive
approach to members' mental health, improving patient access and
driving cost savings, including total medical costs, prescription
costs, hospital services and in-network care utilization.
- As part of its focus on reducing suicide attempts among Aetna
members, CVS Health has seen a 16% reduction in suicide attempts
among Aetna adult Commercial members when compared with a 2019
baseline.
- CVS Healthspire™:
- Signify Health® screens individuals for depression in every
In-Home Health Evaluation visit.
- At Oak Street Health®, patients are able to schedule both
behavioral and physical health appointments.
- CVS Health offers a number of mental health resources and
guides on CVSHealth.com, including a resource center focused on the
unique mental health needs of different populations – from the
LGBTQ+ community to young adults to parents and caregivers.
- As part of the Beauty Mark initiative, CVS Health promotes
healthier self-image and positive mental well-being by not
materially altering the beauty imagery created for stores,
marketing materials, websites, apps or social media.
For more information on how CVS Health is making mental
well-being services more accessible, less complicated and more
convenient, visit CVSHealth.com.
Methodology
This poll was conducted by Morning Consult between March 19-21, 2024, among a national sample of
2,202 adults. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or
minus two percentage points. The interviews were conducted online
and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults
based on age, gender, educational attainment, race, and region.
- Measured via PHQ-9 scores for patients who have completed more
than one visit and reported having at least mild depression
symptoms in their initial visit. Percentages do not add up to 100%
due to rounding.
About CVS Health
CVS Health® is the leading health
solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach
more people and improve the health of communities across America
through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000
dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians,
pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever
people need us, we help them with their health – whether that's
managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications
or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most
convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system –
and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering
costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of
health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow
@CVSHealth on social media.
Media Contacts
Ethan
Slavin
slavine@cvshealth.com
Doug Feingold
feingoldd@cvshealth.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-survey-shows-mental-health-concerns-continue-to-rise-302140086.html
SOURCE CVS Health