More young people seek support in lockdown

Mental health charities in Dundee have noted a significant increase in young people seeking support in lockdown as they experience suicidal thoughts.

There has been a tripling in the number of people accessing and downloading self-help mental health guides from websites during the coronavirus pandemic, with restrictions taking their toll on many young people.

Brook Marshall, the chief executive officer of Feeling Strong – one of the charities helping young people in the community – said: “The main reasons people are getting in touch are active and passive suicidal ideation, dark thoughts and ruminating – they feel trapped in a pattern of being unable to escape and are in a spiral.

“Normally we would deal with much less severe issues than this, things like moods, access to services, social clubs and making friends.

“Lockdown has hit vulnerable people hard, escalated their situations and made already difficult cases even more complex.”

Brook said the social restrictions of lockdown have taken their toll on young people, as well as a loss in routine, the closure of clubs or hobby groups and even everyday activities such as shopping for food.

He said a loss of access to green spaces and reduced outdoor time has also had an impact on many people, resulting in a “vicious circle” of lack of motivation to go outside.

However, it is not only young people who have seen their mental health deteriorate during lockdown in Dundee – people of all ages have been affected.

Across Tayside, police were called to 17 more suicide, attempted suicide and selfharm related incidents in April compared to the same month last year. These figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, also show a small increase in incidents of the same nature in March and May, both of which were up by two when compared to the same month last year.

The figures present only a fraction of mental health issues stemming from lockdown, according to Dr Drew Walker, director of public health at NHS Tayside.