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.