Given patterns of viral transmission and fluctuating testing capacity, our data also include substantial variation in the number of new cases reported on any given day, and thus predicted increases inmental health searches can also be considerable. Fifteen states experienced at least one sampled day with 500% day over day growth innew cases . On those days, our model would predict the RSV formental health searches to increase by about 3.2 points, meaning potentially thousands more Google searches related to mental health.

We believe these findings could be used by policy makers to encourage utilization of mental health services that are already increasingly available given the federal, state and local responses to COVID-19. Because both state and federal governments have moved quickly to deploy resources, lift restrictions, and change regulatory policy, access to telehealth services has increased. Still, despite reports of increases in demand for tele-mental health services (Robbins, 2020), access to such services is not evenly distributed and many who could benefit do not have access. The people at greatest risk of mental illness—those with a history of adversity, such as trauma or abuse, or who are socioeconomically disadvantaged—may lack the resources (e.g., smart phones with unlimited service plans and cameras) to support telemedicine appointments with a provider. Some steps have been taken to account for the diversity in individual circumstance, but there is more to be done, such as allowing reimbursement for audio-only telehealth services, to continue increasing access, availability, and advertisement of mental health services.

Policy makers should prepare for increased mental health needs in case proposed scenarios of a continued increase of COVID-19 cases, or a resurgence of infections, becomes a reality. That may include continuing to remove regulatory barriers to treatment or insuring adequate reimbursement rates for a variety of levels and types of mental health professional licenses. Though the specific changes needed will vary between states, all levels of government should take steps to make mental health treatment available to everyone as society copes with COVID-19.