Patient ‘tsunami’ fears as mental health cases soar

THE number of people suffering symptoms of depression has doubled during the coronavirus pandemic, figures show.

One in five reported problems including stress and anxiety, up from one in 10 before Covid-19.

Experts have warned the situation will only get worse as the economic fallout continues, with what one expert calls a “tsunami” of patients.

Yesterday’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed the proportion of people experiencing some form of depression rose from 9.7 per cent before the Covid-19 crisis to 19.2 per cent in June.

Under 40s, women, the disabled and those struggling financially were most likely to be affected, the ONS said.

Dr Billy Boland of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said isolation, bereavement and financial insecurity were behind the deterioration in the nation’s mental health.

He said: “The doubling in the numbers of people experiencing depressive symptoms is another warning of the looming mental health crisis and the tsunami of referrals we are expecting over the coming months.”

The ONS found one in eight

adults went from having no or mild depressive symptoms to moderate or severe signs.A further 6.2 per cent were already experiencing symptoms at the higher level, which continued.

Of those having moderate to severe symptoms almost twothirds felt lonely “often or always”, more than half reported high anxiety and four in 10 felt their relationships had been affected by the pandemic.

Sir SimonWessely of King’s College London, said: “We should not simply accept this as the ‘new norm’. It is new but anything but normal.”

The NHS Confederation said there was a 30-40 per cent average reduction in mental health support referrals during the first wave of the pandemic and the Centre for Mental Health says 500,000 more people will require help in the next two years.

Claire Murdoch, national mental health director for the NHS in England, said: “The NHS will continue to maximise support on offer including through online and telephone advice and 24/7 crisis services.

“I would urge anyone concerned about their mental health to come forward for help.”

● The Every Mind Matters portal has information at nhs.uk/ oneyou/every-mind-matters/ and calls to the Samaritans are free on 116 123.

ROBERT Walton feared his business would close. His Suffolk-based firm, The Lindhurst Group, sources and installs furniture and fittings for businesses. But with working from home demand dried up. Managing director Robert, 59, could not get government support and needed to sell his property. The dad-of-two called the stresses “incredible” and said: “In the darkest moments we’ve had to contemplate closing down.”

BUSINESS worries have affected artist Vicky Yorke’s mental health in lockdown. The chronic leukaemia sufferer had to shield as her Worcestershire-based Vicky Yorke Designs struggled. Freelance work dried up and new products could not be made in China. Vicky, 37, who is to have counselling, said she is positive but my “finances have been affected, which has caused additional stress and uncertainty”.