White Paper Series: COVID-19 Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Impacts

We are examining and projecting the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health and substance use disorder (MHSUD) needs of individuals, and providing policy makers and health care leaders with relevant and accurate information to make better and more informed decisions. Our intent is two-fold: to provide sound guidance and to bring other experts and thought leaders into the discussion to refine the guidance and improve the estimates available to the field. We will update current documents as new information becomes available, archiving past versions for the record.

Volume 1: Effects of a COVID-Induced Economic Recession

In April 2020, the Meadows Institute issued the first in this series, focused on how an economic recession could increase rates of mental health and substance use disorders and lead to additional deaths from suicide and substance overdoses.

View the full paper and learn more by visiting Volume 1: Effects of COVID-Induced Economic Recession.

Vol. 1 Appendix of State-Level Estimates

This appendix updates our original report on the effects of a COVID-19 recession with state-by-state projections of increases in illicit substance use as well as additional lives lost to suicide and overdose.

Volume 1: Effects of COVID-Induced Economic Recession – Appendix of State-Level Estimates, April 28, 2020

Volume 2: Impacts of a COVID-Induced Economic Recession on MHSUD in Veterans

This report, prepared in partnership with Cohen Veterans Network, focuses on how an economic recession increases rates of mental health and substance use disorders, including deaths from suicide and substance overdoses, among veterans nationally.

View the full paper and learn more by visiting Volume 2: Impacts of a COVID-Induced Economic Recession on MHSUD in Veterans.

Volume 3: Preventing COVID-Related Suicide and Overdose Deaths

This installment models the extent to which universal access to evidence-based integrated primary care to treat major depression through the collaborative care model (CoCM) and to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for persons with opioid use disorders could offset a portion of the predicted increases in suicide and drug overdose deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic. In developing these estimates, we coordinated with colleagues at the Steinberg Institute to highlight impacts in both California and Texas.

View the full paper and learn more by visiting Volume 3: CoCM and MAT to Prevent COVID-Related Suicide and Overdose Deaths.

Impact

To learn about how this white paper series helped frame a national discussion and kept federal, state, and local policy makers informed, view the COVID-19 White Paper Series Case Study.