Yesterday’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed the proportion of people experiencing some form of depression rose from 9.7 percent before the COVID-19 crisis to 19.2 percent in June. Under 40s, women, the disabled and those struggling financially were most likely to be affected, the ONS said.
Dr Billy Boland of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said that isolation, bereavement and financial insecurity were behind the deterioration in the nation’s mental health.
He said: “The doubling in the numbers of people experiencing depressive symptoms is another warning of the looming mental health crisis and the tsunami of referrals we are expecting over the coming months.”
The ONS found one in eight adults went from having no or mild depressive symptoms to moderate or severe signs.
A further 6.2 percent were already experiencing symptoms at the higher level, which continued.
Of those having moderate to severe symptoms almost two-thirds felt lonely “often or always”, more than half reported high anxiety and four in 10 felt their relationships had been affected by the pandemic.
Sir Simon Wessely of King’s College London, said: “We should not simply accept this as the ‘new norm’. It is new but anything but normal.”
The NHS Confederation said there was a 30-40 percent average reduction in mental health support referrals during the first wave of the pandemic and the Centre for Mental Health says 500,000 more people will require help in the next two years.
Claire Murdoch, the national mental health director for the NHS in England, said: “The NHS will continue to maximise support on offer including through online and telephone advice and 24/7 crisis services.
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I would urge anyone concerned about their mental health to come forward for help.”
The Every Mind Matters portal has information at nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters and calls to the Samaritans are free on 116 123.
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