Originally published in Psychology Today, September 3, 2026
If you’ve ever felt anxious or depressed and wondered, “Am I the only one struggling these days?” then this post is for you.
There is significant research that demonstrates that misery loves company. We feel just a little bit better knowing others are feeling what we feel, even when what we are feeling is bad.
In the past, we have been able to report data showing rates of anxiety or depression. In fact, it’s one of the greatest advancements in the public health system.
In America, we have the ability to identify rates of anxiety by demographics including age, gender, geographic location, and much more. National surveys report whether rates of depression have increased or decreased, and we use that data to make informed decisions about how to support our communities. We can even use that data to compare what is happening locally with what is happening around the country and the world.
Now, those numbers don’t actually solve all the problems of the world, but they quantify what people are experiencing and help us recognize that what we feel is real.
Sadly, with all that is happening in the world these days, government funding cuts are making access to this important data difficult to find. There are lots of reasons for this, including funding cuts, delays in payments while waiting for lawsuits to resolve issues, staffing changes due to executive orders, and other system interruptions. Some of these interruptions have resulted in data disappearing from government websites only to be reposted later, but with gaps in data.
What makes it difficult is that most of it is happening quietly: one report delayed, one agency disappearing through government restructuring, one website not allowed to report data. It’s almost so discreet that if you’re not paying attention, you could miss it. And then, sadly, when enough data is gone or inaccessible, we realize that we can’t make the case for what is happening among us and how it is making us feel.
Many of us may be feeling uneasy with all that is happening around us, but without the data, it’s hard to quantify why we feel this way. Data offers a tangible explanation, and these days we do not have access to reliable information to help us understand the bigger picture. We talk as a society about the dangers of false information, but we haven’t paid enough attention to the dismantling of the systems that collect data.
Different people view life experiences differently. What I think is a problem you may think is nothing to be concerned about—until you see the numbers. We welcome these numbers, even when the news is bad, because now we can concretize the problem. Take, for example, the data on loneliness: We are experiencing a loneliness epidemic (definitely bad news), but if I’m someone experiencing loneliness, it makes me feel a little better to know that what I’m experiencing is impacting others the same way.
The biggest problem with what is happening these days is that just because the numbers are no longer available, that doesn’t mean that the problems disappear. Unfortunately, in the absence of numbers, we tend to rely on social media opinions or rumors, which typically result in fear. When we don’t have data, other people’s opinions and assumptions take over, and there is a sense of uncertainty. Not knowing what is happening is often worse than knowing the truth, even when that truth is not good news.
It is really frustrating to know that important information is missing and that there is very little we can do to bring back government databases or conduct cancelled national surveys, but we can be aware of the problem. Once we understand the challenge, here are some things that we can do to support our own mental health in the process.
While data is important, what we think and feel does not need to be researched in order for it to be true. If you are anxious, depressed, or lonely, your experience matters, and missing statistics do not make it any less real.
When we don’t have information about what is happening in other places, we can look around us to see what is happening. Spend time talking to people you trust in your own community, look for local support groups, or join community programs. You don’t need statistics to understand what is happening around you.
We know that when reliable information is missing, our brains may want to fill in the blanks. This is when negativity bias kicks in, which means we don’t always find the best explanation. It’s wise to check in with yourself and ask if you know something is bad or if you are just worried that it could be bad. Not knowing the facts may be uncomfortable, but treating fear as the truth is not the solution.
While it’s hard to know what is happening behind the scenes, there are a lot of people working to keep public access to information available. If you are asked to participate in a local survey, choose to share your information, as communities may need to focus on taking care of their own.
When there are opportunities to attend community meetings or support local organizations, show up and participate. Make the effort to tell your local leaders and elected officials what matters to you. Being active in your community will make you feel more connected and like you are contributing.
This has really had an impact on me as I’ve spent most of my life using data to help people understand that they are not alone. When information is difficult to find, it’s hard for me to envision how I can successfully do my job. What has really helped me is that I am not waiting for the numbers to return. Instead, I’m paying closer attention to the people and communities around me and focusing on what they are saying.
While the numbers are always useful in telling the story, the question remains the same: “How are people really doing?” We can always ask that question and listen to the responses. Losing information definitely makes the world feel less certain, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t figure out how to support each other through difficult times.
References
“Disclaimers As Disinformation: Federal Subversion of Court-Ordered Website Restorations,” Health Affairs Forefront, May 2026.
American Statistical Association, midyear report on federal statistical agency staffing, July 2026. https://www.amstat.org/policy-and-advocacy/assessing-the-health-of-the-principal-federal-statistical-agencies
County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, program status and funding FAQ, 2026. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/findings-and-insights/blog/chrr-updates-data-for-34-measures-will-not-produce-a-2026-annual-data-release
Data Rescue Project, public data preservation portal. https://www.datarescueproject.org/
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