An annual poll of mental health found that the pandemic is taking its toll, but regular churchgoers are faring far better than Democrats, who rate their mental health very low.
The report found that only 34% of Americans rated their mental health as “excellent,” which is a 21-year-low for the report. It’s also about the same rate as a year ago.
But among those that reported high rates of mental health were those who regularly went to church, at about 44%. That subgroup reported the highest rate of mental health among those measured by the poll.
One of the subgroups that reported the lowest levels of mental health, at 28%, was Democrats.
Another subgroup reporting lower mental health wa low-income earners.
42% of Republicans reported “excellent” mental health, while 33% of independent voters reported “excellent” mental health. Prior to the pandemic, 56% of Republicans reported the same in 2019, while 44% reported the same that year.
“The wellbeing of most groups mirrors the national trend, with their mental health scores worsening last year followed by little to no improvement this year,” said the analysis of the report by Gallup.
“However, Democrats’ mental health rating has been steady at a relatively low level since 2019 while frequent churchgoers’ has been steadily high,” it continued.
The report found that men rated their mental health better than women did, and older Americans rated theirs better than younger Americans.
Also on Tuesday, the surgeon general released a rare public health advisory warning that young people were experiencing high stress as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy said that symptoms of depression and anxiety have doubled throughout the pandemic.
“Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real, and they are widespread,” said Murthy. “But most importantly, they are treatable, and often preventable.”
Here’s more about mental health under the pandemic:
Surgeon General Issues Rare Public Health Advisory Over Youth Mental Health Crisis
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