Missing loved ones having greater impact on mental health than worrying about coronavirus
Missing friends and family in lockdown is having a greater impact on the mental health of Britons than worrying about the virus, new Government figures show.
A survey by Public Health England (PHE) found almost half of the population (49 per cent) believe the pandemic had made their mental health worse.
While 53 per cent of people said they were struggling with concerns over their family’s safety, health and finances, 56 per cent said their mental health had declined because they were missing friends and family.
It is the first time that the devastating impact of keeping people apart from loved ones has been compared to anxiety arising from the virus itself, and will increase pressure on the Government to keep the lockdown as short as possible.
On Monday, PHE launches its Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign to encourage people to seek help when they feel their mental health is deteriorating.
Paul Farmer, CEO of the mental health charity Mind, warned that “more and more” people are reaching a crisis point and urged Britons not to “suffer in silence”.
“We have now been through an entire year of living with Covid-19, and many of us feel exhausted, anxious and worried about the future,” he said.
“We know that lots of people are reluctant to ask for help from the NHS right now, but support is still available to those who need it.”
Half of adults surveyed said they were more worried during this current lockdown than in March 2020. Meanwhile, large numbers said they had experienced anxiety (46 per cent), stress (44 per cent), sleep issues (34 per cent) and low mood (46 per cent) throughout the course of the pandemic.
The campaign encourages people to get a free NHS-approved Mind Plan from the Every Mind Matters website. By answering five questions, adults will get a personalised action plan with practical tips to help them deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control.
Other tips include exercise, relaxation, learning new hobbies, improving sleep patterns and spending time with loved ones, although it was unclear how that could be achieved in lockdown.
Minister for mental health, Nadine Dorries, said: “It is understandable that many of us will be feeling fed up, worried and anxious about the weeks ahead.
“For most, these feelings will subside as we draw on our own resilience, adapt to new circumstances and take comfort from the hope of better days ahead. However, there are simple steps we can all be taking to improve our mental wellbeing.
“Whoever you are and whatever your situation, you are not alone and if you are struggling, there is support out there so I urge you to reach out and ask for help.”
Charities said it was important to get outside to exercise, in spite of Government warnings that people should stay at home as much as possible.
The research also revealed differences in the negative mental health impacts the pandemic is having on younger people. Some 43 per cent said the pandemic had made them feel more lonely, compared to 33 per cent of older adults.
Clare Perkins, director of the Mental Health Programme at PHE said: “While the experience of the pandemic has been different for everyone, there's no doubt it has caused unprecedented challenges, and, not surprisingly, many of us are now experiencing poorer mental wellbeing.
“Feeling stress, anxiety and worry are very natural feelings in the face of the Covid outbreak, and looking after our mental wellbeing has never been more important.”
Separate research found women are “disproportionately” more likely than men to feel anxious during the pandemic.
Over the past year, the Cognitive Diagnostics Group from Imperial College in London, has been analysing the nation’s mental health before and during the pandemic.
The study, which is the largest of its kind, surveyed 390,000 participants across the country.
Researchers found in terms of gender, women saw the biggest increase in anxiety levels during the pandemic. The survey found that the number of females reporting feeling anxious several times a week rose from 27 per cent to 38 per cent before and after lockdown.
In contrast, the rate for men rose from 21 per cent to 27 per cent.
This month The Telegraph launched its Mental Health Emergency Campaign, which seeks to highlight the growing mental health crisis that is being caused by the pandemic.
