Giving Compass' Take:

• Many Americans in larger U.S. metropolitan areas report feeling anxious or depressed in the wake of COVID-19, according to Household Pulse data. 

• As COVID-19 will continue to exacerbate mental health issues, how can donors help open and expand services and access? 

• Learn more about the mental health risks during COVID-19. 

Residents in the Riverside, CA metropolitan region (Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario) are experiencing the highest levels of anxiety and depression amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to survey data released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Household Pulse data — which assesses the pandemic's impacts on education, employment, food security, health and housing — surveyed nearly 250 million Americans over the age of 18 from July 2-7, on their state of mental health over the previous week. More than 154 million respondents (62%) reported feeling nervous, anxious or on edge; 136 million (55%) reported uncontrollable worrying; 129 million (52%) reported little interest in doing things; and 126 million (50%) reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless — all for at least "several days" time.

Of the 15 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, the Riverside region saw the highest average levels of both anxiety and depression, at 66% and 60%, respectively. While Boston and Detroit's metro regions landed at the bottom of the list, nearly half of respondents in both cities reported anxiety and depression.

Stay-at-home and social distancing orders were put in place across most U.S. jurisdictions as early as March to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Many of those orders have now carried on for months, resulting in degrees of social isolation, loneliness and economic hardship that have "created enormous distress and mental health challenges," ThriveNYC Director Susan Herman told Smart Cities Dive in an earlier interview.

Such challenges have put a strain on cities' mental health service centers and resources, she said — an issue exacerbated by the current strain on municipal budgets. Crisis centers have relied on grants to keep the doors open in Minneapolis and other cities.

Read the full article about COVID-19 causing an uptick in anxiety and depression by Kristin Musulin at Smart Cities Dive.