#One in four young adults in the US contemplated suicide during pandemic

One in four young adults in the U.S. said they considered suicide over the last month, according to new government data that paints a bleak picture of mental health issues stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Overall, the new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 40 percent of American adults reported experiencing mental or behavioral challenges tied to the COVID-19 crisis and measures including social distancing and stay-at-home orders.

“U.S. adults reported considerably elevated adverse mental health conditions associated with COVID-19,” the report said.

“Younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers and unpaid adult caregivers reported having experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal ideation.”

Nearly 11 percent of the 5,412 adults surveyed between June 24 and 30 reported having seriously considered suicide in the 30 days prior, the report said.

But the percentage was significantly higher among those between the ages of 18 and 24, with about a quarter saying they harbored such thoughts.

Almost 31 percent of unpaid caregivers and 22 percent of essential workers also said they had thought about taking their own lives. Respondents who are black or Hispanic were also well above average.

“Addressing mental health disparities and preparing support systems to mitigate mental health consequences as the pandemic evolves will continue to be needed urgently,” the report stated.

About one-third of respondents said they had been struggling with anxiety or depression symptoms. And roughly 26.3 percent reported experiencing trauma and stress-related disorders because of the pandemic.

To cope with the stress from the viral outbreak, another 13.3 percent said they had turned to substances including alcohol and prescription or illicit drugs.

The spike in reports of negative mental and behavioral health issues linked to the outbreak “highlight the broad impact of the pandemic and the need to prevent and treat these conditions,” the report stated.

“Expanded use of telehealth, an effective means of delivering treatment for mental health conditions, including depression, substance use disorder, and suicidal ideation, might reduce COVID-19-related mental health consequences,” it said.