---
title: The parallel pandemic
description: We know how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our businesses. But did you know we were already in the middle of a public health crisis before COVID?
---

[The Oracle is in ](https://www.litesprite.com/en/blog)

# [The parallel pandemic](https://www.litesprite.com/en/blog/the-parallel-pandemic)

 Written by [Socks the Fox](https://www.litesprite.com/en/blog/author/socks-the-fox) | February 2, 2022 at 12:22 AM

We all know by now how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our businesses. But did you know we were already in the middle of a public health crisis before the onset of COVID? That's right. According to the [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/workplace-health/mental-health/index.html#:~:text=Mental%20illnesses%20such%20as%20depression,about%2035%25%20of%20the%20time.), 18.3% of adults reported experiencing mental health issues in 2016. Today, it's 42%. Our pre-pandemic provider care gap was around 60%. Today, it's 71.9%.

 

| ### 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness | ### 43% of those with moderate depression who do not treat their symptoms | ### 4.5 months each year depression reduces cognitive performance | ### 20% amount of time physical job tasks are impacted by depression |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ### 55% of U.S. counties do not have a single practicing psychiatrist   | ### 134 million people living in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area | ### 11 years average delay between the onset of symptoms and treatment | ### 75% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 24 |

 

[View full post](https://www.litesprite.com/en/blog/the-parallel-pandemic)

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