Mental Health Worsens in 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to have a negative impact on the mental health of American workers. Recent research shows that more of people are at higher risk for depression and anxiety disorders than last year, and we are more likely to view situations negatively.

Tampa Bay Thrives board of directors chair Tommy Inzina, who serves as President and CEO of BayCare Health Systems, wrote a guest column for the Tampa Bay Business Journal on how the business community should start thinking long-term about mental health resources in West Central Florida.

In his guest column, Inzina cites some troubling trends that include:

• U.S. workers’ risk of depression jumped another 48% in December, putting it 145% higher vs. February 2020.
• U.S. workers’ risk of general anxiety disorder has risen 55% since the beginning of August, putting it much higher now than it was at the start of the pandemic.

To read Inzina’s column, check here.

A new resource in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Thrives is a new nonprofit that will provide help to those struggling with mental health and substance use issues. It seeks to assist people struggling with mental health and substance use issues by offering navigation to the right counselors, access to virtual short-term counseling for those that are unable to see a local provider, and awareness that there is no shame in seeking treatment. The pilot effort is set to begin this summer in Hillsborough County, with plans to expand into Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties in 2022. For more information about the effort, visit tampabaythrives.org.