Impact of COVID-19 policies on mental health and mortality in U.S. adults
Official title: States' COVID-19 Mitigation Policies and Psychological Health, Drug Overdose, and Suicide among U.S. Adults
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-10914154 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $417,609 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA055972-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914154 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by COVID-19 policies or who do not experience psychological health issues may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Monnat, Shannon M — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Monnat, Shannon M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How state COVID rules affected adults' mental health, overdoses, and suicide
This project looks at how state COVID-19 policies like lockdowns and financial supports changed mental health, overdose deaths, and suicide risk for U.S. adults.
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How isolation and COVID-19 affected suicide risk in youth
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How COVID-19 affects thinking, mental health, and social connections in recently housed veterans
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The lasting effects of COVID-19 on the mental health and social integration of homeless veterans.
This study is looking at how getting COVID-19 affects the mental health, thinking skills, and social connections of veterans who have recently been homeless, to better understand the challenges they face as they try to rebuild their lives after recovering from the virus.
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How social conditions and COVID-19 affected suicide risk in young people
This project looks at how things like housing, school, healthcare access, and pandemic stress relate to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and teens.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.