‘We face a mental health crisis’

There are fears the district faces a “huge mental health crisis” as more people reach out for help as the country heads into a second coronavirus lockdown. Local services and charities have already reported a “dramatic increase” in demand from those battling anxiety, loneliness and depression since the first national restrictions were imposed.

The boss of mental health charity East Kent Mind, which provides support across the Canterbury district, says there has been a recent 50% rise in people accessing services.

CEO Dr David Palmer says they are seeing more people suffering anxiety, difficulties sleeping, and trouble containing their emotions at home, with many getting angry.

“We have also had a lot more calls from older people concerned with isolation,” he added. “People with long-term conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, are concerned about being able to access appointments and healthcare.” The charity, which works with the University of Kent, has also seen cases of students who are

anxious about being forced to stay in their accommodation at Christmas instead of going back home.

“For first-year students, not yet used to university life, this has come at a really bad time,” Mr Palmer said.

“There has been a lot of talk about mental health in the media and government circles, but it’s not clear what support is going to be made available to the public sector or voluntary sector.”

Dr Palmer has questioned why a stricter lockdown was not imposed sooner - as in other European countries - and is now worried about the impact this will have on mental health. “There is a real fear this is going to go on for several months,” he added.

“We know the impact of the winter months on wellbeing anyway.

“So adding in a partial lockdown on top of that, and the real fear about people’s jobs,

and this is obviously going to significantly impact on mental health.”

Café Revival at the Horsebridge in Whitstable supports East Kent Mind and provides services such as peer support, wellbeing walks and food deliveries to the vulnerable.

But its co-boss, Deborah Haylett, has called on the government to put in place a comprehensive mental health strategy to avoid a crisis across the district.

“Predictions are it is only going to get worse because there is no mental health strategy which is going to accompany these lockdowns,” she said. “The first lockdown did come out of the blue and it was all a bit unknown - but we’ve had months now and most people have been predicting a second one.

“Boris Johnson and the government like to talk about mental health and how concerned they are, but it hasn’t been followed with action.”

Red Zebra, a charity which helps those who are socially isolated across the district, reported a 200% increase in interactions with people during the first week of the previous lockdown.

Social prescribing lead Monica Boulton predicts another rise because of the impact the winter months can have. “I think it is going to have quite a big impact based on the evidence last time,” she said. “There might be less panic but I do think the darker evenings and the weather is going to have that impact as people can’t get out and do their daily walks.” The charity is supported by donations and volunteers - and provides wellbeing calls and car services for the socially-isolated. But Ms Boulton says the charity needs “longer-term” support rather than quick fixes to help continue its work.

“In the first lockdown we started up a befriending service, which we have funding for to continue,” she said. “We have already made 1,500 calls. As a charity it is being able to continue the work financially and supporting the staff, because it will have an impact on them, as well as the people they are working with.”