Trump has often expressed concerns about how a prolonged nation-wide economic shutdown and increased isolation will affect mental and emotional health.

After media dsmissed concerns, calls to substance abuse and mental health hotline skyrocket

Trump was right to raise concerns

Suicide and substance abuse are just two of the potential side effects of mitigating this global pandemic. As the President said, “We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself.”

Incredibly, the media criticized the President for raising these concerns. The AP claimed last month that “there’s no evidence that suicides will rise dramatically” and asserted they may actually “diminish.”

A “fact-check” from ABC News insisted “there's no evidence to suggest that the suicide rate will rise dramatically because people are stressed from losing their jobs.”

These efforts to downplay the threat did not age well. ABC News now reports that “Last month the ‘Disaster Distress Helpline’ at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration saw an 891% increase in call volume compared with March 2019.”

If the media was not constantly obsessed with trying to prove President Trump wrong, perhaps more Americans would have known where to go for help.

Thankfully, the Trump Administration recently approved nearly half a billion dollars in the coronavirus emergency relief bill to address mental health issues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The media should not dismiss or ignore this growing crisis. If you or someone you know is struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. It’s available 24/7, just like the Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990).