EXCLUSIVE » Covid sparks alarming crisis

BY JESSICA BOULTON, EMILY RETTER and NATASHA WYNARCZYK

BRITAIN is in the grip of a mental health pandemic as Covid and lockdowns have left soaring numbers of people struggling with an array of problems and even feeling suicidal.

In a shocking Mirror survey, one in four adults quizzed revealed their state of mind was now worse than before the virus struck.

And experts fear if Boris Johnson does not urgently tackle the desperate situation we will be plunged into a post-covid mental health crisis that could take more than a generation to recover from.

One in 12 of all adults polled has had panic attacks, and one in 15 has battled suicidal thoughts. Within the group who said their mental health has worsened, one in eight has even tried to take their own life.

In general, older age groups have coped better during the pandemic, but those aged 55 to 64 struggled most with anxiety, cited by 80% of them. The 18 to 24-year-olds were the next most anxious, with 72% suffering.

Children have been hit hard, too – 13% of parents said their kids have experienced mental health problems and many had even been given pills for depression or anxiety.

A 10th of those given drugs are aged four and under, and a quarter younger than 11.

It follows NHS figures that showed a record high 65,533 for referrals to child and adolescent mental health services for March, double the same time pre-pandemic.

Experts said the situation was desperate enough before Covid shut down the country, with chronic underfunding crippling mental health services, but warned the £500million No10 pledged in July to address the problem comes too late and is nowhere near enough.

Lockdowns, job loss fears and uncertainty are triggering psychological issues and making existing illnesses worse. Mental Health UK chief executive Brian Dow said: “These findings show the true dimensions of the pandemic on mental health.

“If we’ve learnt one thing over the last 18 months, it is that by acting quickly we can avoid a catastrophe, so the Government should take notice and develop a genuine post-pandemic mental health plan.

“Failing to respond quickly means the youngest generation will be among those paying the highest price for years to come.”

Shadow Mental Health Minister Dr Rosena Allin-khan added: “The impact this has on mental health cannot be downplayed.

“That’s before we look at the growing waiting times for mental health services.”

Association of Child Psychotherapists spokeswoman Rachel Melville-thomas said: “Before the pandemic, services were already