Along with the regular stressors of everyday life, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic, financial, and public health turmoil have brought additional layers of anxiety and fear to every individual’s home. Aside from working, taking care of loved ones, and completing daily tasks, people across the country now have to worry about the health and safety of themselves and their loved ones as novel coronavirus cases continue to increase across the parts of the globe.

Without a doubt, 2020 has taken a toll on American mental health. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently found that 45% of adults in the U.S. reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted this year.  And as mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression increase, levels of health risk behaviors (i.e. excessive alcohol and drug use, smoking, and reduced level of exercise) also trend upwards.