ABSTRACT
Despite all our knowledge about evidence-based optimal mental health/substance abuse (MHSA) practices, we have barely scratched the surface in systematically addressing the ongoing MHSA crisis in the United States and, in fact, throughout the world. COVID-19 has only exacerbated this crisis. This chapter summarizes the data on the impact of COVID-19 on MHSA with a particular, but not exclusive focus on the United States. Dr Goldfield points out some of the challenges we faced in our responses, and then specifies what is and should be done. He discusses some of the positive changes to our health system that have occurred since the start of the pandemic and then highlights family, community, and societal responses to the MHSA crisis.
