The impact of coronavirus on our mental health

Before the pandemic, mental health issues were already a leading cause of suffering globally with suicide rates increasing in young people. In the past 25 years alone, mental illness and substance use disorder increased by almost 50% (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2020).  

This blog seeks to look at the impact coronavirus and lockdown is having on an already neglected global health issue. 

Before we had even heard of coronavirus; mental health disorders have been on the rise, many putting this increase down to an increase of unhealthy relationships with technology, an increase in loneliness and an increase of negative information from the media. Now, we also have the addition of uncertainty, which are brains are naturally designed to dislike. It is no wonder that many of us are struggling to cope.  

Studies of human and animal brains have shown that isolation can reduce "brain volumes in the prefrontal cortex (involved in decision-making and how we socialise); a smaller than normal hippocampus (which supports learning and memory); and a correlation between the size of the amygdala (which processes emotion) and decreased social interaction" (People Management, 2020). Furthermore, isolation and loneliness is found to be associated with increased inflammation within the physical body. Infact, it was found in 2018 that loneliness is more dangerous to us than obesity, having the same impact on our mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (Cigna, 2018). Nonetheless, negative self-image consequents leads to low self-esteem which can also negatively impact our mental health, with 48% of people stating that they have gained weight during lockdown according to King’s College London’s latest research.

This uncertainty and lack of routine has not just affected individuals with existing mental illnesses, but it is also negatively impacting people who previously had no anxiety or pre-existing issues with their mental health.  

 The Office for National Statistics found that during June, the rate of depression in adults doubled in comparison to the start of lockdown. As of late July, 49% of the population felt anxious and 1 in 5 people had felt lonely within the last 2 weeks. Furthermore, 10% of UK adults; 19% of 18-24 year olds, and, 15% of 25-34 year olds have experienced suicidal thoughts and feelings (YouGov, 2020). 

The Mental Health Foundation found that 1 in 5 of UK adults, 1 third of young adults (aged 18-24) and 1 third of individuals with pre-existing mental illnesses feel hopeless during this pandemic. It has also become apparent that certain demographic groups are more likely to report negative mental health during this pandemic, these include but are not limited to; women, people with long-term health conditions, people with pre-existing mental health conditions, people who were unemployed, full-time students and younger people (YouGov, 2020).

A survey conducted in August by the CIPD found that 27% of participants' alcohol intake had increased during lockdown, with most using alcohol as a coping mechanism. The Royal College have found that 8.4 million people in England alone are engaging in high-risk drinking and that drug treatment cases in April were at their highest rate since 2015. I suspect that substance misuse of both alcohol and drugs is much higher than these figures but there is sadly still much stigma attached to addition which makes individuals less likely to report their usage or seek help.  

The World Bank President, David Malpass, predicted in August 2020 that as many as 100 million people will be pushed into extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic and that as a result of the global economic recession the pandemic will cause, there will be a tsunamic of ill mental health in all countries. After the 2008 recession, there was a "wave of 'deaths of despair' in the US", largely driven by suicide and substance misuse (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2020). Unless a government mental health response (through intervention, funding etc) is provided, we are at risk of facing a tragic repeat of this.  

Sadly, and unsurprisingly, even when the national lockdown ended, millions of us were still struggling with our mental health. Whilst the UK goes into increasing regional lockdowns, kindness and meaningful connection have never been more important. Put time aside to reach out to each of your loved ones as much as possible to connect and check in on how they are feeling and share how you are feeling.  

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 – they are a free helpline and are available 24/7. You can also seek help from your GP or by calling NHS 111.  

For further helplines and helpful resources, click here. And stay tuned as we work as fast as possible to provide a hopeful and supportive digital service to help all of us better manage and understand our mental health.