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Coronavirus and depression in adults

ended 04. May 2021

On Wednesday morning @ 09:30, the Office for National Statistics is publishing a report entitled Coronavirus and Depression in Adults.

It's almost certain the report will show an increase in people suffering from depression, for all manner of reasons, from isolation and loss of a job or income, to health worries or bereavement.

We want to know what you're seeing on the ground, e.g.

  • What have been the primary causes of depression during the pandemic?
  • Do you think people's mental health will improve quickly once the pandemic is over, or that the psychological fallout could last many years?
  • Could the Government be doing more to help people with pandemic-induced depression and, if so, what?

As ever, be short and punchy in your alert_responses. Journalists want soundbites not essays.

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3 responses from the Newspage community

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Editor
Christine Charitonos
Founder at What Does Not
From loneliness to debt-induced desperation, it's hard to really pinpoint the exact causes for the spike in depression we've seen over the past 12 months. The impact on mental health is a pandemic in itself, one that can easily spiral out of control if left unattended, with results far more catastrophic than expected. The Government should be held accountable and needs to offer support on multiple levels, ones that span well beyond financial compensation. It's easy to throw money at a problem, and a lot harder to tackle it at the root - but on this occasion, it's crucial to be strategic with a multi-pronged approach. Out-of-the-box thinking is crucial. If there's any hope to be restored in the Government and its abilities, mental health should be at the top of the list when trying to gain back the respect of the public.
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Janine Elizabeth McDonald
Founder at Clear the Clutter Now
"I've seen a big increase in clients looking for support in decluttering their homes during the pandemic, as they feel their house is 'closing in' on them. "This has a significant adverse impact on mental wellbeing, the result being strained relationships with children, partners and themselves in the form of anxiety and depression. "Many people have been confined within their four walls for long periods of time and have been surrounded by material objects that are not always beneficial to their wellbeing. Many have lost loved ones and are now dealing with their belongings, too. "The effects of the pandemic on mental wellbeing, I feel, will last for many years to come."
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Helen Llewellyn
Director at Infinity Wellbeing
There need to be quicker ways to access support instead of having to prove how anxious you are to get NHS support. We see workplaces who want wellbeing to be more than a tick box exercise putting in timely interventions for staff and think this will be a continuing trend.