COVID-19 Related Data in the State of Virginia March 19th – April 18, 2020

Executive Summary

PRS CrisisLink began basic data collection regarding COVID-19 calls on March 19th, 2020. Over the past 30 days of collection, calls related to COVID-19 have steadily increased. On page two, the data will indicate an increased number of contacts in which COVID-19 was indicated as a primary stressor and the client also indicated active and current suicide thoughts. PRS CrisisLink cautions any data related to suicide not be considered correlational or causal. Suicide is a complex issue and the majority of clients we serve have pre-existing stressors to suicide thoughts which have been compounded by the pandemic and not triggered by the pandemic crisis. It is important to note the added stress and trauma of the pandemic is leading to a stronger sense of helplessness and hopelessness for many of the most vulnerable community members.

Calls related to Emotional Distress due to COVID-19 March 19-April 18 (30 days)

200 187 180 160 145 141 140 120 97 100 80 84 80 69 65 60 37 40 20 20 0 March 15-21 March 22-28 March 29-Apr 4 April 5 - 11 April 12-18

Local State

The local descriptor indicates calls from the northern Virginia region (HPR2). State calls extend beyond HPR2 with the highest concentration of calls in Hampton Roads.

Calls related to Emotional Distress due to COVID-19 with Acute Suicide Thoughts March 19-April 18 (30 days) 40%

35% 36%

30% 25% 30% 25% 27% 20% 23% 15%

10%

5%

0% March 15-21 March 22-28 March 29-Apr 4 April 5 - 11 April 12-18 COVID-19 Related Data in the State of Virginia March 19th – April 18, 2020

Calls related to Emotional Distress due to COVID-19 with Primary Pandemic Stressor Reported March 19-April 18 (30 days) 60

50

40

30

20

10

0 March 15-21 March 22-28 March 29-Apr 4 April 5 - 11 April 12-18

Job Loss Economic Sick

Percentage of Calls with Topics of Interest Related to COVID-19 35%

29% 30% 27%

25%

20% 16% 14% 15% 11% 10% 8% 6% 4% 5%

0% Substance Use Relapse Trauma/PTSD Family Conflict

Total Calls COVID Calls

Calls to PRS CrisisLink are complex and when a client describes their stressors, they may indicate many different reasons for their distress. PRS CrisisLink has slowly been identifying common themes in calls. Job loss, economic concerns and illness are the most commonly requested statistics from stakeholders. Last week, PRS CrisisLink added substance use, relapse, trauma reactions and family conflict as collectible data points. The second graph demonstrates the percentage of calls in which these topics differentiate between total calls received and those in which COVID is the primary stressor the client indicates as the reason for their call.

If your organization would like to see additional data points added, please contact PRS CrisisLink Director, Laura Mayer [email protected] to indicate your data point of interest.