New screening for loneliness is the latest addition to the comprehensive mental health evaluation that also includes assessments for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
Mentavi Health, a pioneer in telehealth services through ADHD Online (adhdonline.com), announces its latest innovation dedicated to addressing the pervasive and often overlooked issue of loneliness and its health risks. Committed to providing accessible and affordable mental health solutions, Mentavi Health has added a loneliness screening to its comprehensive “Mentavi Smart Assessment” available at ADHD Online.com.
Health experts have linked loneliness to a multitude of serious health issues, including an increased risk of depression, anxiety, dementia, heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. Loneliness has a far more significant impact on a person’s mental and physical health than is commonly acknowledged.
Earlier this year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a public health advisory in response to a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. About half of U.S. adults say they experience measurable levels of loneliness in a survey carried out prior to the pandemic. The advisory found that disconnection impacts mental, physical, and societal health.
ADHD Online recognizes that isolation can pose a risk to mental and physical health of patients given the social orientation of human beings and the research around it. People with ADHD are even more susceptible to being lonely, in part because of how they may relate differently to others. Loneliness and related events such as a move or retirement can contribute to worsening ADHD symptoms.
“Mentavi Health, which started with ADHD Online, continues its commitment to be a leading source of meaningful mental health insights for patients,” said Keith Brophy, CEO. “ADHD is rarely a solo condition. When a patient comes to Mentavi Health for our online Smart Assessment, they are prompted for information based on a number of the leading clinical frameworks, scoring systems, and screeners. Our data indicates that over 80% of patients with ADHD are impacted by other conditions as well. ”
“Our Mentavi network of licensed psychologists subsequently use this information to render a comprehensive diagnosis in a consistent, clinically sound manner that may include a diagnosis for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and indications of binge eating, problematic social media, loneliness, or combinations of those,” added Brophy. “Mentavi’s commitment is to provide patients with the optimum insights for the mental wellness journey.”
Loneliness has a significant impact on a person’s health including:
Higher Rates of Mental Health Issues: Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety which can lead to feelings of isolation and a sense of not belonging. There are also correlations with increased suicide risk.
Increased Risk of Dementia: Social isolation, which often accompanies loneliness, has been linked to a 50% increased risk of dementia, a concern for older adults who may already be at risk due to age-related cognitive decline.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke: Loneliness can increase the risk of heart disease by 29% and the risk of stroke by 32%, which are among the leading causes of death worldwide.
Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Loneliness can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes for a variety of factors, including stress and poor lifestyle choices that can accompany feelings of loneliness.
Increased Mortality: Loneliness is associated with increased mortality, with one meta-analysis finding that lonely individuals had 26% greater odds of early mortality with the physical and mental health risks associated with loneliness.
“Loneliness has become a widespread problem in the United States, posing a serious threat to our mental and physical health,” said Barry Herman, Chief Medical Officer of Mentavi Health. “ It is critically important to recognize loneliness as a significant risk factor contributing to or exacerbating mental illness.”
“Mentavi Health can help identify, address, and manage these conditions, giving patients the tools to take control of their mental well-being. The screening for loneliness allows patients to receive an evaluation for an impactful condition that can negatively impact their health. In battling loneliness, people can learn healthy coping skills, write a journal, find ways to spend more time with loved ones, and ask for help.”
The new loneliness assessment is the latest in an already comprehensive list of screenings in the Mentavi Smart Assessment that include ADHD, anxiety, depression, binge eating disorder, and problematic social media usage, supporting Mentavi Health’s goal to be a leading comprehensive mental health evaluation provider in the U.S.
For more information, visit https://mentavi.com/.
About Mentavi Health and ADHD Online
Mentavi Health was launched as ADHD Online (adhdonline.com) in 2018 with the mission that everyone should have access to quality ADHD assessments from a licensed psychologist regardless of who and where they are. ADHD Online is now a brand under Mentavi Health as its reach has expanded to address diagnosis and in some cases treatment, of ADHD and adjacent mental health conditions. The Mentavi Smart Assessment is offered nationwide, with treatment options available in 40 states.
