The pandemic makes it clear: it's time to finally address the mental health crisis in America
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- The pandemic has not only weighed on the physical health of Americans, but their mental health too.
- And the US was already facing a mental health crisis, even before COVID-19 hit.
- Congress can help address the crisis and we can all work to improve the country's collective mental health.
- Patrick J. Kennedy is a former US Representative, author, and founder of the Kennedy Forum.
- Norm Gorin is vice president of MindWise Innovations.
- This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Never has there been a time in our history when people talked as openly about anxiety, depression, or feelings of hopelessness as they are during the pandemic Crisis lines are no longer taking calls purely about the symptoms of COVID-19 or how to get tested, but instead are inundated with people asking for help to fight feelings of high anxiety and stress.
Business leaders know this is an unavoidable component to the immediate health of employees, with many now searching for ways to support the behavioral health of their workforce. Before the pandemic, depression alone was estimated to cost the American economy $210 billion annually, with 50%of that cost shouldered by employers. The World Economic Forum projected that mental health disorders will cost nations $16.3 trillion between 2011 and 2030, which represents a staggering loss in economic output.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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