Mental health legacy set to outlast coronavirus illness

● Warning as country struggles with psychological impact of lockdown

Nicola Sturgeon has warned Scotland will be left dealing with a “mental health legacy” once the coronavirus lockdown is finally lifted, fuelling fears over the long-term impact from weeks in isolation.

As a major survey warned people were turning to alcohol and finding their sleep and diet affected, the First Minister said the effects of isolation necessitated by the outbreak would be felt long after it was over.

Taking part yesterday in the first ever virtual meeting in the history of the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said funding had already been made available to expand counselling services to combat the strain.

She said: “Not just in the immediate phase of dealing with this, but I suspect for a long time afterwards, we’re going to be dealing with a mental health legacy of it. We have to make sure that the services that provide the help that people need are there and that means expanding access to counselling now, but looking ahead to make sure that these services are appropriate in the future as well.”

Extra funds have been allocated to the confidential online service Breathing Space.

Ms Sturgeon said the mental health

of Scots, particularly those in the health and social care sector, was “very high on the priority list”.

Her warning came as a survey – run by King’s College London in partnership with Ipsos Mori – revealed 38 per cent of British people were sleeping less or less well than normal. More than a third (35 per cent) were eating more food or less healthy food than normal.

Other negative impacts were that 19 per cent of participants reported drinking more alcohol than normal, while 19 per cent said they were arguing with their family or housemates more than normal. Half of people (49 per cent) reported feeling more anxious or depressed than normal due to coronavirus.

Kelly Beaver, managing director of public affairs at Ipsos Mori, said: “It’s incredibly concerning that half of people say they are feeling more anxious or depressed.”

The data was based on interviews with 2,250 UK residents aged 18 to 75 done last week.