The Washington State Department of Health publishes a monthly analysis on public mental health. Liberty Road does not support nor deny the information within this report, we do believe that it is important for the public and for public policy makers to understand the wide and varying impacts that their decisions, or lack of decisions, is having on the General Public.

Heading into the fall months of 2020, the behavioral health outcomes from COVID-19 for most peopleare related to experiences of social isolation, fears ofthe unknowns aroundfurther restrictions and economic losses, and stress and pressure related to the balance of childcare and work.However, this may change as COVID-19 casescontinue to increase, increasing medical risksfor greater numbers of people3and relapsesrelated to addiction.4,5,6

The DisillusionmentPhase of Disaster Response & RecoveryMoving into the disillusionmentphasecan be uncomfortable and challenging for communities. During this time, individuals, groups (non-profits and other organizations),and businesses are oftenconfronted with thelimitations of disaster assistance and support. Individuals and communities may feel abandoned as the gap between community needs and available resources widens. As we move towards the fourth quarterof2020, financial resources that were more plentiful in earlier phases may be limited or nonexistent. Depression is one of the most common emotional responses heading into the disillusionment phase. In Washington, the beginningof this phase coincideswith changes in seasonal conditions,as daylighthoursbecome shorter and the weather worsens. The combination of these circumstances is likely to result in an increase in symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. 15

Behavioral Impacts Forecasts from COVID-19