Day 111 – A Mental Health Emergency

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Mental Health Facts

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1/2″][vc_single_image media=”58994″ media_width_percent=”80″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Figures

UK Deaths: 44,220

UK Cases: 285,416

Worldwide Deaths: 534,861

Worldwide Cases: 11,448,554

Source: worldometers.info[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]

This Week

So this week has seen lockdown relax even more in the UK. Although Leicester is the first place to come under ‘local lockdown’.  So, unfortunately, they were not able to relax restrictions after an outbreak there.  The U.S., Mexico and Brazil seem to be struggling with high numbers too.  Pubs and hairdressers opened yesterday. I don’t even want to look at the news for images from the pubs.  Sorry Boris, but don’t tell people to be sensible and then open pubs at 6 am…

But what are the wellbeing implications of being in lockdown for so long, I wanted to look at some mental health facts so far.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

What We Know

Suffering from depression and anxiety, I know first hand the impact that COVID-19 and lockdown have had on my mental health.  So I’m interested to know some of the mental health facts surrounding lockdown.  Mental health disorders account for almost a quarter of the total burden of ill health in the UK.  It is felt that the pandemic and our response to it could have direct implications on the nations mental health.  Furthermore, the reduction or lack of access to mental health services will only serve to aggravate the situation even further,[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Facts

Charity Mind has said that ‘The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic will leave a deep and lasting scar on the mental health of millions in this country. The devastating loss of life, the impact of lockdown and loneliness, and the inevitable recession that lies ahead will affect all of us.’

• More than 50% of adults and over 33% of young people said that their mental health has gotten worse during the period of lockdown restrictions.
• Loneliness and boredom have been a major issue for young people. With 18–24-year-olds the most likely to see loneliness affect their mental health.
• People with experience of mental health problems are more likely to see their mental health worsen as a result of coronavirus restrictions.
• People with eating disorders, OCD, PTSD and personality disorders are affected more than those with other diagnoses.
• 65% of those whose employment status had changed (furlough, redundancy) said their mental health had gotten worse during the pandemic.
• More than 1 in 4 young people were self-harming, which made them twice as likely as adults to cope in this way.
• 32% of adults and 28% of young people did not access support because they did not think that their issue was serious enough.

Source (and to read the full report): Mind.org[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image media=”59003″ media_width_percent=”75″ alignment=”right”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]

 A Mental Health Emergency?

These are just a fraction of the facts that have come out of the survey since the start of lockdown. To read the complete report, just click above.  There is clearly going to be a lot of treatment and self-care required after this.  Mind’s research has already made an impact though, by highlighting how coronavirus has affected mental health.   The more that we talk about the effects and how we are feeling throughout this period, the more we raise awareness.  Let’s ensure that our wellbeing is the top priority as we begin to emerge from isolation.

Fay x

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_column_text]If you liked this post then you may like the following categories:

The Lockdown Diaries

Wellbeing

Or follow my Pinterest board, for even more motivation in lockdown:

Motivation Quotes | Positive Quotes | Inspiration

Featured Image Photo by Alex Iby on Unsplash[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image media=”59007″ media_width_percent=”70″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]