By Daniel Tan, Public Policy Institute of California, September 11, 2020
As the pandemic continues to threaten the physical health and well-being of many Californians, mental health professionals across the state have also acknowledged its widespread psychological impact. Although the mental health consequences of epidemics are not well documented—in part due to the rarity of these events—existing research shows an association between large-scale disasters and mental and behavioral challenges.
The threat to Californians’ mental well-being—which may stem from fear of falling ill, social isolation, job loss, or other factors—has raised concerns about a behavioral health crisis in the state. The pandemic’s psychological toll may also be exacerbated by the recent wildfire siege, which has led to evacuations and poor air quality for many residents.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, more Californians have reported experiencing anxiety, worry, and other mental health challenges. According to the US Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, 69% of adult Californians reported experiencing any mental health symptoms at least several days out of the week between April 23 and May 5. That proportion has increased as the virus progressed through the state, peaking at 73% in the second week of July.
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