Covid-19 and the nation’s mental health
Dr Sarah Hughes
CEO Mind Charity | Transformational Leadership | Social Justice | Mental Health | Innovation
Over the last year, Centre for Mental Health has been reviewing evidence about the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health. From research into previous epidemics and economic shocks to recently published evidence from studies and surveys relating to Covid-19, we have built up a picture of just how big a threat to the public’s mental health the pandemic presents.
The results of this exercise are stark. They point to the conclusion that up to 10 million people in England, 1.5 million of them children and young people, will need mental health support as a consequence of the pandemic and its after-effects.
This is a huge increase in the level of need for mental health support. As we predicted in our earlier forecasts, it is likely to be more of a rising tide than the often-cited ‘tsunami’ of demand for mental health care. Sadly, people often live with psychological distress for months and years before seeking help. But that makes it all the more important that the Government and the NHS are prepared for the rising level of need and ready to meet it – whenever possible before people reach the point of crisis.
So we need a plan. We need a plan that brings together national and local bodies to support the nation’s mental health at this crucial time. We need a plan that is centred on reducing inequalities and leaves no one behind. And we need a plan that brings together resources and effort from across communities and services.
Mental health is made in communities. So we need to see investment in community organisations that can make a difference quickly. Schools, colleges, workplaces, faith groups and other organisations need support to deal with the traumatic experiences many people will bring with them from this year for some time to come.
Local efforts to meet mental health needs will of course require national support, too. While the NHS has a clear financial settlement for the next few years, public health got nothing from the recent Spending Review and social care funding is pitifully low compared with the NHS.
And we need effective national leadership to help us all through the trauma of the pandemic, to enable people to maintain their livelihoods and to keep us as safe as possible throughout the months to come. With so much uncertainty in our lives, clear, consistent and compassionate communication is vital to rebuild our confidence and restore our connections to one another.
Idler and creative, amateur pickler (ball) Ai master, failed yoga student, previous NHS, digital entrepreneur, Trustee.
4 年For services in the U.K. that fall under the banner of IAPT. They will see the bulk of these cases. Some of those pre-covid had problems with wait lists. In part because there is no agreed tarrif payment so CCGs spend variable amounts on IAPT . We have been tracking the impact since April. The numbers of people we are seeing are not a surge and in fact. Those that relate Covid or lockdown as a precursor to seeking help is going down. I don’t doubt the need is out there. As some have said on this thread. People will often wait to seek help. But there is another pressure in the system. And this appears to be related to getting access to sustained support from secondary care. People with some serious self harm problems don’t have a consistent access to a key worker to support them over the long term.
At a phase where I need a fresh challenge & be out of my comfort zone & broaden my horizons & maybe travel & see the world with my job. I have a positive outlook on life & have the drive & determination to succeed
4 年Interesting fact not suffering with my mental health but various professionals are causing me unnecessary stress & pain. I try to be honest with all concerned but for reasons I can’t understand continuing with their behaviour. Have spoke up but don’t seem to realise what they are doing to me especially recruiters who are discriminating against me. No one will listen to me or my version of events, take me serious or try & resolve my issues. This is hard when you have contacted the right charities, regulators, government, Councils etc but still in the same situation after 3 years+ & before COVID-19. So sympathise with anyone with mental health issues at the moment & advise you to seek support. I may have experience problems but still think I contacted the right people at the time. Will continue to clear my name & look forward to the future.
?? JOYfully Bin Emotional & Mental Head Trash Using Higher EQ Peformance & Strength | Better Decisions Better Income | Author Coach Therapist | TLC For Entrepreneurs Who Need To Deal With Transitions Loss & Change fast
4 年Hi Sarah Hughes ..so agree. The demand for our services will be a slow build rather than a tsunami. There's only so much uncertainty anyone call live with before ..giving in. Its our job to hold the 'hope' and keep clients going.
I comment with ?? on your posts.
4 年??
Founder/Director at Survive Me Ltd
4 年Thanks very much Sarah Hughes for writing such an interesting article, and I totally agree with you, we are going to see an increase over time for individuals needing mental health support rather than one big barrage. I can support this from real life on the ground examples, as when our team at Survive Me rolled out our mental health support mobile app to regiments and the Veteran community within the British Army, we were actually taken back by the shear numbers of crisis calls and support requests coming into our buddys through the app. Those numbers haven't decreased at all either, they have just kept steadily rising and rising, and we have experienced the strain this is putting on multiple services who are struggling to keep up with the demand they are facing. I can't see this reducing for the foreseeable future either, so I just hope organisations are prepared for the mental health pandemic facing us all. Thanks very much for the insights you and the team at Centre for Mental Health are pushing out, your evidence based research is invaluable at this time.