Approximately 82% of Hawaii residents recently reported in a survey having experienced a mental health condition within the past six months, with approximately 52% saying their symptoms originated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey was conducted by Anthology Research for the Hawaii Department of Health (HDH) in the first two weeks of the year, according to an HDH press release.
In addition to the high percentage of people who began experiencing symptoms during the pandemic, 35% of those who already had a mental health condition prior to the pandemic had symptoms worsen during the pandemic, the release states.
“We’re all being affected by the pandemic,” Amy Curtis, chief administrator of the Hawaii Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division, said in the release. “This is a real issue that calls attention to the need to be vigilant about meeting the needs of our neighbors, friends, co-workers and others in the community. We encourage everyone to continue to confide in family or friends, seek support from a therapist or to call the Department of Health’s Hawaii CARES hotline.”