NEW YORK (CNN) — While the world struggles to manage the initial waves of death and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is mounting evidence accumulating that "a second wave" linked to rising rates of mental health and substance use disorders could be building, according to an article published Monday in the medical journal JAMA.
"A second wave of devastation is imminent, attributable to mental health consequences of COVID-19," wrote authors Dr.
This second mental health wave, the researchers suggested, will bring further challenges, such as increased deaths from suicide and drug overdoses, and will have a disproportionate effect on the same groups that the first wave did: Black and Hispanic people, older adults, lower socioeconomic groups and health care workers.
These conditions can also become chronic with additional comorbidities, such as substance use disorders, the authors said.
The 10% affected by prolonged grief is likely an underestimate for grief related to deaths from COVID-19, and each death leaves approximately nine family members bereaved, the authors said.
"Supporting the mental health of these and other essential workforce is critical to readiness for managing recurrent waves of the pandemic," the authors said.
The pandemic has already brought with it a mental health crisis, according to data from the U.S.
The CDC survey data reported that nearly 41% of respondents are struggling with mental health issues stemming from the pandemic.
The NYU authors suggest the solution will require increased funding for mental health; widespread screening to identify those who are at highest risk; primary care physicians and mental health professionals who are trained in treating people with prolonged grief, depression, traumatic stress and substance abuse; and a diligent focus on families and communities, creatively restoring the approaches they have used to manage loss and tragedy over generations
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