102% Upsurge in Risk for Depression Among US Workers Since February

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON, August 20, 2020 – The risk for depression among US workers has risen an alarming 102% since February, according to findings from the Mental Health Index. The escalating threat of developing depressive mood disorder shows little sign of abating. Between June and July, the risk of depression climbed a staggering 31%.

The Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition, powered by Total Brain, a leading mental health and brain performance self-monitoring and self-care platform, is distributed in partnership with the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, One Mind at Work, and the newest coalition members, the HR Policy Association and its American Health Policy Institute.

Additional findings from Total Brain’s clinically-validated brain assessments show millennials are among the most emotionally vulnerable groups in the COVID-19 era. Working Americans ages 20-39 have a:

• 101% higher risk of depression and a 132% greater risk of general anxiety disorder than their middle-aged counterparts (ages 40-59); and a
• 305% higher risk of depression than their baby boomer colleagues (ages 60+).

These findings come on the heels of new CDC data revealing one in four young adults say they have considered suicide in the past month because of the coronavirus.

“It has been more than five months since the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic,” noted Louis Gagnon, CEO, Total Brain. “People are experiencing sustained elevation in stress and anxiety levels like never before. The fact that the risk of developing clinical depression continues to escalate at such a disturbing rate comes as little surprise. Depression is the manifestation of months of chronic stress and anxiety overload.”

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