Opinion: Glaring omission from Biden’s Covid-19 task force: mental health expertise
The unprecedented spike in depression and anxiety that has accompanied the coronavirus pandemic points to a glaring omission from President-elect Biden’s Covid-19 task force: Mental health expertise is nowhere to be found among the physicians, epidemiologists, and public health experts.
Pandemic-related depression and anxiety are disproportionately affecting young people. While young adults have generally not been hard hit physically by Covid-19, the pandemic has had profound consequences for their day-to-day lives and their mental health. There is a pressing need for the federal government and individual institutions like universities and community colleges to address the challenges young adults face during — and after — Covid-19. The place to start is by including mental health expertise on the coronavirus advisory panel and ensuring investment in mental health access.
