This post is co-written by Shibangi Saha, Data Scientist, and Graciela Kravtzov, Co-Founder and CTO, of Equilibrium Point.
Many individuals are experiencing new symptoms of mental illness, such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to Kaiser Family Foundation, about half of adults (47%) nationwide have reported negative mental health impacts during the pandemic, a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels. Also, certain genders and age groups are among the most likely to report stress and worry, at rates much higher than others. Additionally, a few specific ethnic groups are more likely to report a “major impact” to their mental health than others.
Several surveys, including those collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), have shown substantial increases in self-reported behavioral health symptoms. According to one CDC report, which surveyed adults across the US in late June of 2020, 31% of respondents reported symptoms of

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