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This article describes the implementation of telemental health services within the Veterans Health Administration before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article identifies strategies the VHA has used to reach hard to reach populations, including unhoused veterans and veterans living in rural communities, and outlines future goals to improve and expand access to telemental health services.

This article details a year-long, longitudinal cohort study of individuals with schizophrenia to examine COVID-19 hospitalization, mortality, vaccination, and postvaccination infection rates. Results show that individuals with schizophrenia are at an increased risk of hospitalization and mortality and have lower rates of vaccination than the general population. Medical comorbidities also play a significant role in worsening outcomes and mortality for this sub-population.

This study looks at survey data from the 2020 U.S. Household Pulse Survey to estimate the associations between state-specific mobility restrictions and well-being across historically excluded groups, including those groups at the intersections of race/ethnicity, sex, and income categorizations. Results found that low-income and African American populations are most likely to be affected by lockdown restrictions, including unemployment, food insufficiency, mental health problems, inaccessibility of medical care, rent or mortgage defaults, and class cancellations.

This article describes the survey results of 33 Black adolescents (ages 12-17) living in Southeastern United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey illustrates stressors and barriers for these teenagers, citing financial issues, access to health care, and increased mental health strain as key issues during the pandemic. These answers could provide context for addressing issues within this population.

This article examines the relationship between changes in health-related socioeconomic risks (HRSRs) and mental health for women ages 18-90 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through a survey that asked questions about any patterns of change in HRSRs (food insecurity, housing instability, interpersonal violence, and difficulties with utilities and transportation). The results found that 40% of women had one or more prepandemic HRSRs, with an increase in HRSRs experience during the pandemic. The odds of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms are two or three times higher among women who reported at least one HRSR.

This study looks at COVID-19 ICU admission, hospitalization, and mortality rates for patients with schizophrenia in France. From February to June 2020, the study team analyzed patient data and compared those experiencing schizophrenia to those without severe mental illness. Results showed that those with schizophrenia are more likely to be admitted to the ICU and hospital and, ultimately, have an increased mortality rate than their control group. This disparity is more prevalent with age, as people older than 65 have a significantly higher rate of mortality.

This case study discusses how Hawaii’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) partnered with state housing services to organize isolation and quarantine services for people experiencing homelessness. This department also focused on substance use disorder and mental illness, so they worked to build partnerships with treatment centers that individuals could enter after quarantine. The BHA has also focused on braiding funding sources between substance use disorder and homelessness efforts to provide more wraparound services and combat the siloization of different departments.

This paper discusses how a community mental health center partnered with a local health department to provide vaccines to patients with severe mental illnesses through the mental health center in a “non-traditional” site. This was a way to increase preventive vaccination among patients with severe mental illnesses.

Data from the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (AMES) was used by CDC to assess 9th-12th grade student behaviors and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of poor mental health and suicidality was high across students of all sex, sexual identity, and racial and ethnic groups; however, poor mental health, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors were less prevalent among those who felt close to persons at school and were virtually connected with others during the pandemic. The mental health of youth might be improved via strategies that improve connections with others at home, in the community, and at school.

Recent national surveys of young people have shown alarming increases in the prevalence of certain mental health challenges. We know that mental health is shaped by many factors, from our genes and brain chemistry to our relationships with family and friends, neighborhood conditions, and larger social forces and policies. As we learn the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, and start recovering and rebuilding, we have an opportunity. Everyone has a role to play in combating this mental health pandemic. Ensuring healthy children and families will take an all-of-society effort, including policy, institutional, and individual changes. This advisory provides actionable recommendations for young people and their families, schools and health care systems, tech and media companies, employers, community organizations and governments alike. Mental health challenges are treatable and often preventable. This advisory shows how.