80% have suffered with stress during Covid crisis

FOR POLICY NOW AND IN FUTURE

MORE than four out of every five people in the UK has suffered with stress due to the pandemic.

A study involving academics from De Montfort University asked 4,251 people nationwide whether their mental health had been affected by the virus and the lockdown restrictions.

The survey, commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation, found 82 per cent had experienced stress.

About 60 per cent said walking had helped them cope, while half said visiting green spaces was beneficial.

Chatting to friends and family online or on the phone was also a stress reliever for 47 per cent of those studied, while about 40 per cent said maintaining a healthy lifestyle helped them.

Almost four in 10 said doing their hobby had been helpful.

Tine Van Bortel, a professor at De Montfort and Cambridge, said: “There’s a growing body of strong research evidence about the determinants of our health and wellbeing that is replicated by our findings.

“Access to nature and safe green spaces, positive social contacts, healthy lifestyles and meaningful activities are all crucial for us to function well.”

Mr Van Bortel said the researchers hoped the study will inform government decisions about how to sustain the economy during and after the pandemic.

He said: “There is strong international evidence that there is no tradeoff between public health and the economy – quite the opposite: healthy, happy people make for stronger communities and thriving economies. This has important policy implications.

“The government should create a sustainable wellbeing economy developed with the active involvement of our communities – and a pandemic recovery plan that reaches across government departments and society.

“This would also help to tackle the deep inequalities exposed by the pandemic.”

Antonis Kousoulis, the Mental Health Foundation’s director for England and Wales, called on the government to come up with a plan to boost people’s mental health.

He said: “The good news is that millions of people across the UK are using effective ways to improve wellbeing.

“Going out for a walk, visiting a park and being in contact with family and friends are great ways for us all to protect our mental health.

“At a time of local restrictions, it’s more important than ever local authorities invest in improving our neighbourhoods and leisure areas, to create safe, green spaces for activities.

“That is why we are asking the UK Government to take the lead by publishing a cross-government plan to promote mental health and wellbeing.

“We also want the government to ensure there continues to be a distinct national body responsible for public mental health.”