Impact of COVID-19 policies on mental health and mortality in U.S. adults

States' COVID-19 Mitigation Policies and Psychological Health, Drug Overdose, and Suicide among U.S. Adults

NIH-funded research Syracuse University · NIH-10914154

This study looks at how different COVID-19 safety measures, like stay-at-home orders and business closures, have affected the mental health of adults in the U.S., especially concerning risks of drug overdose and suicide, to help us understand the impact of these policies on people's well-being during and after the pandemic.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSyracuse University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Syracuse, United States)
Project IDNIH-10914154 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how various COVID-19 mitigation policies, such as stay-at-home orders and business closures, have influenced the psychological health of U.S. adults, particularly focusing on risks related to drug overdose and suicide. By analyzing self-reported data from adults alongside county-level statistics on mortality, the study aims to understand the short and long-term effects of these policies on mental health. The research employs advanced Bayesian modeling techniques to create composite measures of state policies and their impacts. This comprehensive approach seeks to provide insights into the relationship between public health measures and psychological outcomes during the pandemic.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include U.S. adults aged 21 and older who have experienced psychological distress or adverse effects related to COVID-19 mitigation policies.

Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by COVID-19 policies or who do not experience psychological health issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health policies that better support mental health and reduce mortality rates from drug overdose and suicide.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has indicated that public health policies can significantly impact mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Syracuse, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.