There is new, and increased, burden on both survivor and caregiver
mental health
The mandatory “stay at home” order in most states also could worsen
the financial burden cancer already faced by HNC survivors and their
caregivers as there are record rates of unemployment and numbers of new
unemployment claims in the country. HNC patients have higher rates of
depression, anxiety rates and suicide compared to the general
population. The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to increase each of
these unless the healthcare system mobilizes to meet their needs. The
lack of continuing screening and access to other care is expected to be
a source of anxiety for HNC survivors. The physical distancing protocol
in place in most areas of the country also increases people’s anxiety,
distress and depression. A phenomenon called “infodemic” — an
overabundance of (mis)information on social media and elsewhere — also
poses a major risk to patients’ mental health.4 During
past disease outbreaks (e.g. 2003 SARS, 2014 Ebola), there were
significant negative impacts on public and individual mental health,
such as generalized fear and fear-induced overreactive behavior and
increased risk of depression and anxiety.5,6 This
issue may be compounded in rural areas; the majority of rural residents
live in mental health professional shortage areas since most mental
health professionals work exclusively in metropolitan areas.