A key challenge or opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. A key challenge presented by the pandemic would be the detrimental impact on the society’s mental health. This is shown through a wide range of industries and companies resulting to inevitable job losses, in order to assist with the sudden and impactful economic decline. Research shown from prior economic downturns, shows that job loss is associated with clinical depression, anxiety, distress and low self-esteem, which in turn may result in higher rates of 53% of substance abuse disorders and suicide/suicidal thoughts. During the pandemic, adults in households with job losses or lower incomes report higher rates of symptoms of mental illness, in comparison to those without job or income loss, which show rates of 32%.
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