HomeNews & PressGeneSight Mental Health Monitor: Special Election Series Phase III Update GeneSight Mental Health Monitor: Special Election Series Phase III Update This material has been reviewed for accuracy by: Renee Albers, PhD October 24, 2024News & Press The latest installment of the GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor: Special Election Series, shows that as Election Day draws closer, Americans’ anxiety and/or depression around the 2024 Presidential Election remains significantly elevated. The nationwide survey from Myriad Genetics, Inc, conducted in September 2024, is the final in a three-part series tracking how the election season is affecting American’s mental health, particularly amidst the ongoing mental health crisis in the United States. Anxiety and/or depression around the election was already elevated during Phase I of the survey in May 2024, with 40% of Americans reporting feelings of depression and/or anxiety about the upcoming election. These levels have stayed elevated, with 45% feeling anxious or depressed in July, and 41% reporting similar feelings in September. Additionally, of those who are already suffering from anxiety and/or depression, 50% reported feeling anxious and/or depressed about the election in May. Of the same population, 66% reported feeling anxious/depressed about the election in July, and 59% in September. Phase III results of the survey also revealed that month-over-month depression and/or anxiety symptoms continue to worsen in the lead up to the election. As of September, those experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression reported increased anxiety due to the news and social media around the election. In May, 49% reported increased anxiety, rising to 60% in July and just slightly decreased to 56% in September. “It’s unfortunate that Americans’ mental health continues to be negatively affected by election season,” said Thomas J. Valente, M.D., a psychiatrist in Leesburg, Florida. “This multi-phase survey has showed that as campaigning ramped up, Americans’ mental health deteriorated. Given our country’s ongoing mental health crisis, this is a cause for concern.” For individuals struggling with their mental health, the GeneSight test could be a useful tool as it provides clinicians with information about how their genes may affect how they break down or respond to certain medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. “We hope that Americans will consider taking steps to improve their mental health given this important election is right around the corner,” said Valente. “The GeneSight test is one of the tools I’ve used to help my patients get back on the road to mental wellness.” About the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor is a nationwide survey conducted online by ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. Phase I was conducted between May 8-15, 2024, Phase II was conducted between July 23-30, 2024, and Phase III was conducted between September 16-23, 2024 among a representative sample (n=1000) of U.S. adults age 18+. The margin of error in survey results for the total base population at a 95% confidence interval is +/- 3%. A nationally representative sample of adults aged 18 years or older was recruited and balanced to match U.S. Census quotas across five primary metrics (i.e., age, gender, income, region, ethnicity). In addition to the nationally representative sample, a statistically reliable sample was desired of respondents who were self-reported as being diagnosed by a medical professional with depression or anxiety. The study also used mental health screening instruments, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) for depression, and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) for anxiety, to better understand this population. 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Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more
Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... Read more
Patient Cyberbullying: Unique Challenges and Impacts ‘We lost our daughter to cyberbullying.’ McKenna Brown was an accomplished hockey player and scholar, known for her kindness, when she became the target of int... Read more
Going Beyond Green, Yellow, Red on the GeneSight Report This blog summarizes key points discussed during the March 2024 GeneSight® Engage webinar Participants: Bernie Ranchero, MD, MS, MBA, medical direc... Read more
Healthcare Provider Top 5 Reasons Patients Stop Their Mood Disorder Treatment Mood disorder treatment for depression can be challenging – and patients may become frustrated when treatments don’t work. In fact, when people with depres... Read more
Patient The Impact of Gratitude on Depression and Anxiety “Say ‘Thank you,” a mother reminds her young kiddo. “T.G.I.F.!” we cheer at the end of a long week. We know it’s important to be thankful. But do we ... Read more
Patient The Silent Thief: The 5 Things Depression Can Steal “Depression is a thief,” writes Abhinav Chaurasia, a marketing automation specialist in an essay on LinkedIn. “It steals your joy, your motivation, and your abi... Read more
Patient How to Talk to Your Doctor about Anxiety Medication “When I was 27, I felt bad all the time,” writes Joanna Goddard on the popular Cup of Jo blog. She describes her initial experience with anxiety in detail. ... Read more
Healthcare Provider Building Trust by Reducing Bias: The GeneSight Test as a Tool for Mental Health Equity This blog summarizes key points discussed during Myriad Mental Health’s July 2022 Webinar: Building Trust by Reducing Bias: The GeneSight Test as a Tool for Men... Read more
Patient Anxiety and older adults: What to look for and how to help “It’s not how old you are. It’s how you are, old.” - French author Jules Renard Mental health is important at every age. But when people experience an a... Read more
Patient Adult ADHD: Symptoms, treatment, where to start Many people may incorrectly think ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, only impacts children. After all, according to the Centers for Disease C... Read more
Healthcare Provider It’s time to talk suicide: addressing stigma around a difficult topic Trigger Warning: This webinar discusses suicide. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. ... Read more
Patient Stress Relief Methods for Family Caregivers Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding and meaningful experience. However, the day in and day out of taking care of someone who is unwell also can be challen... Read more
Healthcare Provider Healthcare Professional Burnout and Links to Depression When Dr. Lorna Breen, an ER doc in Manhattan, died by suicide in April 2020, it opened up a public discussion about the burdens faced by healthcare professi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Antidepressant Withdrawal or Depression Reoccurrence? What Healthcare Providers Should Know People who stop taking antidepressants may do so for many reasons: they may feel like it isn’t working, may feel unable to cope with side effects, or may not fe... Read more