The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Behavioral Health in Indiana

Abstract

As of January 2021, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center has confirmed more than 20 million SARS-CoV-2 cases and over 350,000 deaths in the United States alone and 100 million cases and more than 2 million deaths globally. As of December 31, 2020, over half a million Hoosiers had tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 8,000 had died as a result of complications from the disease. This report is a review on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had (and has) on the mental and behavioral health of Hoosiers. Specifically, we reviewed pandemic-related stress on children, parents, and the elderly; substance use, misuse, and overdose deaths; mental health concerns; suicide; domestic violence; and child abuse and neglect. The current report is a summary of findings. It provides a snapshot in time. Data and conclusions were relevant and timely at the time the report was produced.