Lockdown stops one in four adults getting mental healthcare

During a webinar for mental health and learning disability service providers, PHE national lead for mental Health and well-being Gregor Henderson revealed initial findings of the new “real time” data collection being undertaken by the arm’s length body.

According to the presentation, seen by HSJ, PHE said there was evidence to suggest 25 per cent of adults who would like mental health support have not been able to access services. It added: “A high proportion…may be receiving less mental health support than before the lock down”.

In a statement to HSJ, Mr Henderson, said: “Across a range of data and surveys we have collated, the picture shows that mental well-being fell sharply at the beginning of lock down. On a number of measures these levels are improving, however they are not back to the levels seen before lockdown.

“On all measures of well-being that we have been able to collate for people living with serious mental illness, all indicators of well-being are much lower than the rest of the population. This underlines the need to prioritise the health and well-being of those living with serious mental illness.”

Further findings quoted in the presentation revealed the groups of people reporting worse mental health included young adults, BAME people, those living alone, people with lower household income and people with existing mental and physical health conditions.

The presentation also added: “A large proportion of children may now be going without support services which they used to receive.”

Parent and carers of children were among the groups reporting higher levels of anxiety compared to the rest of the population, while older people were found to have reported lower levels of stress and anxiety.

PHE said the data was taken from surveys carried out by charities Mind and Rethink, as well as other studies.

A spokesman for NHS England and Improvement, said: “It is too early to tell what the medium or long term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health will be, but frontline mental health services have continued to offer flexible options for care, and we’ve seen a significant increase in phone and video consultations and online support, while the dedicated helpline for NHS staff has supported front-line workers.

“This will continue to be the right choice for many in the coming months and years, but face-to-face appointments have been and will continue to be available for anyone who needs them and our message to anyone experiencing poor mental health is: the NHS is here for you, please help us help you, and come forward for the care you need.”