Disparities in COVID-19-Related Psychological Distress Among Recipients of a State's Public Mental Health Services.

Objective: The authors examined changes in perceived anxiety, stress, and mental health symptoms (i.e., psychological distress) reported by recipients of New York State public mental health services during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as whether these changes varied by demographic characteristics or pandemic-related socioeconomic challenges.

Overrepresentation of In-Home, Natural Deaths Among Individuals Treated for Mental Illnesses in New York State.

Objective: The authors compared rates of in-home, natural death among individuals receiving treatment for mental illnesses with those in the general population.

Methods: Two data sets were used to determine the prevalence of in-home, natural deaths in the general population and among those receiving treatment for mental illnesses in New York State, outside New York City, for the period 2016-2018.

Results: Overall, 37% of natural deaths among individuals receiving mental health treatment occurred in the home, compared with 26% in the general population.

The Social Determinants of Mental Health: A Descriptive Study of State Mental Health Agencies' Priorities.

Social determinants are receiving renewed attention as research demonstrates the effects of social factors on individuals' physical and mental health and elucidates the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying those effects. Through spheres of influence from policy and regulation development to direct service provision, state mental health agencies are in a unique position to lead primary and secondary prevention efforts aimed at addressing social determinants with both client-level and structural-level interventions. A survey of social determinants-related activity was sent to the Medical Directors of the state offices of mental health in all 50 states.

The Impacts of COVID-19 on a Statewide Population With Mental Illness.

Objective: This survey examined the experiences of individuals receiving treatment in a large public mental health system during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The survey, conducted between May and June 2020, assessed four domains: impacts on mental health, experiences with telehealth, access to care and resources, and sources and adequacy of support. Descriptive analyses were conducted.