‘Tsunami’ of referrals due to mental ill health feared

Psychiatrists worry patients are avoiding support until they reach crisis point

Mental health services could be overwhelmed by a “tsunami” of referrals when coronavirus lockdown measures end, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned.

A survey by the college found almost half (45%) of psychiatrists had seen a reduction in routine mental health appointments, leading to fears that patients were avoiding support until they reach crisis point.

Meanwhile, 43% of psychiatrists had seen an increase in their urgent and emergency caseloads, where patients were showing the most serious conditions.

Professor Wendy Burn, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “We are already seeing the devastating impact of Covid-19 on mental health with more people in crisis.

“But we are just as worried about the people who need help now but aren’t getting it.

“Our fear is that the lockdown is storing up problems which could then lead to a tsunami of referrals.”

The pandemic has made it “much harder” for mental health services to offer routine appointments, despite the introduction of remote consultations, the college said.

Its survey of more than 1,300 mental health doctors in the UK suggests the biggest reduction in routine care had been for older adults, children and young people, as well as within general hospitals.

The college said steps must be now be taken to ensure mental health services are ready to help people as the number of coronavirus cases begins to fall.

The Office for National Statistics found that between March 20 and March 30 almost half (49.6) of people in Great Britain reported levels of anxiety.

Meanwhile, research by the Royal Society for Public Health found that young people were more likely to experience poor mental health and wellbeing under lockdown than older adults.

In regard to older people, Dr Amanda Thompsell, chairwoman of the faculty of old age psychiatry, said they are “often reluctant” to seek help, while their need for mental health support is “likely to be greater than ever”.

Picture: PA. Almost half of psychiatrists had seen a rise in their urgent and emergency caseloads, where patients were showing the most serious conditions.