Adults experiencing depression double in number due to Covid-19
● Majority said that stress and anxiety had been affecting their wellbeing
The number of adults experiencing depression has almost doubled during the coronavirus pandemic, new figures suggest.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that nearly one in ten (9.7 per cent) British adults suffered some sort of depression between July last year and March this year. But when the same group was assessed again in June, the figure had risen to 19.2 per cent – nearly one in five.
The majority (84 per cent) of peopleexperiencingsomesort of depression cited stress and anxiety affecting their wellbeing, and 42 per cent said their relationships had been affected. The ONS research examined data from the same 3,500 British adults both before and during the pandemic.
Statisticians found those most likely to say they had been affected by depression in June were younger adults aged 16 to 39, women, those “unable to afford an unexpected expense” and disabled people. Depressive symptoms include low mood and loss of interest and enjoyment in ordinary things.
Researchers also examined the levels of depression, which are classed as mild, moderate or severe depression.
One in eight adults (12.9 per cent) developed moderate to severe depressive symptoms duringthepandemic,while6.2 per cent already were already experiencing symptoms at this level. Of those experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the pandemic, 62 per cent said they felt lonely “often or always”, compared with 15 per cent of those with no or mild depressive symptoms. Just 3.5 per cent saw an improvement during the same timeframe.
Tim Vizard, from the ONS, said: “Today’s research provides an insight into the mental health of adults during the coronavirus pandemic. “Revisiting this same group of adults before and during the pandemic provides a unique insight into how their symptoms of depression have changed over time.”
Commenting on the figures
Dr Billy Boland, chairman of the General Adult Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 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.
“Isolation, bereavement and financial insecurity are some of the reasons why the nation’s mental health has deteriorated since the start of the pandemic. The government must speed-up the investment to mental health services.”