Cause and Effect Toulmin Thesis/Outline Assignment
Elizabeth Torres
Liberty University
ENGL101: Composition and Rhetoric (D03)
Professor Sadie Barham
April 28, 2025
I. Introduction
A. Thesis Statement: Mental health in America was considerably affected by the COVID-19
pandemic. Social isolation, economic instability, and grief took an unprecedented toll on the
populace—one that will require long-term prioritization and a reallocation of resources to
remedy.
B. The pandemic has taken a great toll, resulting in more than 1 million fatalities in this
country.
C. Daily life became more disrupted than ever, and with that came the inevitable
intensification of our mental health concerns. The pandemic undoubtedly fast-forwarded us into
a world where many more humans are experiencing mental health crises than before. We are all
likely to know someone or several someone’s who are during one right now.
D. Considering mental health as an essential component of total well-being is significant
for several reasons.
II. Pre-existing Mental Health Concerns in America
A. The problems of mental health were on the way up even before the COVID-19
pandemic.
B. In 2019, almost 19% of the adult population suffered from some form of mental illness
(National Institute of Mental Health, 2019).
C. The rising rate of anxiety and depression reported before the onset of the pandemic
provides clear evidence of a declining trend in overall happiness (Smith & Jones, 2018).
D. The deficiency of mental health resources before the pandemic was a serious problem
that impacted innumerable numbers of people.
III. The Surge in Mental Health Issues During COVID-19
A. As of January 2021, close to 40% of the adult populace signified that they were
experiencing unease and depressive episodes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2021).
B. Younger individuals male and females were affected in greater numbers (American
Psychological Association, 2021).
C. Communities encountered further difficulties because of entrenched inequities.
(Williams, 2020).
D. The rates of suicide and abuse of drugs went up. These weren't the only ways people
found to cope. (Johns Hopkins Public Health, 2021).
IV. Factors Contributing to Mental Health Decline
A. Social Isolation
1. The loneliness and the despair that ensued from the lockdowns led to increased
incidences of PTSD (Brown et al., 2020).
B. Economic Instability
1. The loss of jobs and the lack of financial security made life much more stressful and
much more anxiety-ridden (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
2. The low-income families faced a crisis that was worsened by the reduced income they
had coming in. Their financial situation varied in many ways, but six key realities represented
the varied circumstances of numerous families.
C. Grief and Loss
1. Numerous individuals have suffered the loss of cherished relatives and friends, greatly
escalating their emotional turmoil. (Harvard Medical School, 2021).
2. Grieving is a natural and necessary part of human experience, yet many societies
restrict the ways in which people can grieve, often for cultural or religious reasons. Standardized
ways of grieving (or not grieving) can pathologize the experience of those who are not able to fit
it in to the prescribed mold. In this book, I am using the concept of grief loosely to refer to the
many forms of loss we experience.
V. Addressing Opposing Views
1. Counterargument: Some maintain that mental health problems weren't worsened at all
and that the crisis we currently find ourselves in was overstated.
2. Rebuttal: Studies from multiple health organizations confirm a substantial rise in mental
health concerns, proving the long-term impact of the pandemic.
VI. The Need for Mental Health Prioritization
1. It is of utmost importance to prioritize mental health with the same level of urgency
and attention that we typically reserve for physical health.
2. It is essential to broaden access to mental health services (National Alliance on
Mental Illness, 2022).
3. Lowering the stigma and boosting policy backing for mental wellness.
4. Long-term national recovery requires not only increased mental health funding but also
telehealth as a sustainable part of the health system.
VII. Conclusion
The mental health situation in the U.S. took a serious downturn because of the pandemic.
When dealing with mental health problems, it is essential to grasp the difference
between urgent help methods and enduring assistance methods.
We must change public policy and society's mindset if we want to avert future mental
health catastrophes.
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Apa PsycNet. American Psychological Association.
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-58594-001
Koyama, A. K., Koumans, E. H., Sircar, K., Lavery, A. M., Ko, J. Y., Hsu, J., Anderson, K. N., & Siegel,
D. A. (2022). Mental health conditions and severe COVID-19 outcomes after
hospitalization, United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 28(7), 1533–1536.
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2807.212208
Ndugbu, K. U. (n.d.). Mental health as a public health priority: A national strategy for
addressing the mental health crisis in the post-pandemic era. Universal Library of
Medical and Health Sciences. https://www.ulopenaccess.com/ulpages/fulltextULMHS?
PublishID=ULMHS20250301_002
Powell, A. (2023, November 9). Covid-19’s long-term impact on our emotional landscape.
Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/03/covid-19s-long-
termimpact-on-our-emotional-landscape/
Simmons, J. M., Winsky, L., Zehr, J. L., & Gordon, J. A. (2020). Priorities in stress research: A
view from the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. Stress, 24(2), 123–129.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2020.1781084
Williams, D. R. (2018). Stress and the mental health of populations of color: Advancing our
understanding of race-related stressors. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 59(4),
466–485. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146518814251
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