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Nearly Half Of LA County Is Anxious Or Depressed During Coronavirus Pandemic

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Nearly half the people in L.A. County are dealing with anxiety or depression, according to a USC tracking survey of more than 1,000 people. That’s up from 36% a month ago.

The mid-April survey found 57% of 18-34 year olds reporting anxiety or depression. Kyla Thomas, a sociologist at USC who works on the survey told us:

“This is the group that is more likely to experience economic anxieties.”

Since many young adults are starting careers and families, they’re especially vulnerable to stress during a crisis, said Dr. Emanuel Maidenberg, a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA.
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“I think this is the time when people are most invested in building their future,” he said.

Meanwhile, calls for information and referrals to L.A. County’s mental health helpline were up 20% in March compared with the same month last year.

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