To prevent additional deaths, experts recommend the government "[provide] meaningful work to those who are unemployed" and better access to health and mental care. (Photo: Getty)
Researchers at the Well Being Trust (WBT) and the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care have warned that 75,000 Americans could die from "deaths of despair" as a result of the massive unemployment and forced periods of isolation they might be experiencing.
In order to combat the potential wave of deaths of despair — which researchers found could range between 27,600 to 154,000 deaths — the report recommended policy solutions that "[provide] meaningful work to those who are unemployed" and better access to health and mental care.
"Undeniably policymakers must place a large focus on mitigating the effects of COVID," said Benjamin F. Miller, the chief strategy office of WBT, in a press release. "However, if the country continues to ignore the collateral damage—specifically our nation's mental health—we will not come out of this stronger."
The authors laid out potential ideas for bolstering employment during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis: Local public health departments could employ more contract tracers to track the spread of the novel coronavirus or form a "new corps" that would provide community health services.
The report noted that the spike in unemployment that was seen during the Great Recession led to an increase in deaths from suicide and drug overdose. In particular, one study estimated that a one point increase in the unemployment rate during the Great Recession led to a 1.6% increase in suicides.
Additionally, the report called for better access to mental health care. Miller said the nation's mental health and well-being can be improved if it implements "healthy community conditions, good health care coverage, and inclusive policies."
"With all the other COVID-related investments, it's time for the federal government to fully support a framework for excellence in mental health and well-being and invest in mental health now," Miller said.
The report also called for the need for civic organizations and clubs to bolster their virtual presences so that people can still feel connected while social distancing, as well as "informative leadership" from political leaders about how the pandemic is affecting people's mental health.
"These are uncertain times, unprecedented. Unfortunately, for too many, this uncertainty may lead to fear, and fear may give way to dread," said Jack Westfall, the director of the Robert Graham Center, in the release. "We try to provide as much certainty as possible to shed some light on our path. We must also make our relationships certain, regardless of the uncertain facts and figures of the day."
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David Thomas
I'm a reporter covering the business of law, with an emphasis on national and global law firms for The American Lawyer, Law.com and other ALM publications.
