“President Donald Trump has ordered the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and other agencies in his Cabinet to develop a plan within 45 days to tackle the mental health issues made worse by the coronavirus pandemic.”
“’The pandemic has also exacerbated mental- and behavioral-health conditions as a result of stress from prolonged lockdown orders, lost employment, and social isolation,’ according to Trump’s order, which was issued Monday.”
“The order calls for the establishment of a Coronavirus Working Group, which would facilitate an ‘all-of-government’ response to the mental health issues, including suicide, which could have spiked after months of widespread isolation and economic troubles in many industries throughout the country.”
“The group will analyze the how the pandemic has impacted the mental health of vulnerable populations, which the White House identified as minorities, seniors, veterans, small business owners, children, individuals potentially affected by domestic violence or physical abuse, those living with disabilities, and those with a substance-use disorder…” Read the full article here.
Source: Trump orders military, VA, other federal agencies to study link between pandemic and suicide – By Steve Beynon and Caitlin Kenney, October 7, 2020. Stars and Stripes.
