Coronavirus impacts mental health and widens inequalities

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has reported that the coronavirus episode has had substantial negative impacts on mental health across the population.

The study found that the biggest impacts have been on the gender and age groups – broadly women and the young – that already had relatively low levels of mental health. Pre-existing inequalities in mental health have therefore been exacerbated by the crisis.

Almost a quarter of 12,000 respondents to the study reported experiencing at least one mental health problem much more than normal, up from just 10 per cent in the most recent pre-crisis data.

Other key findings include: an additional 7.2 million people aged over 16 report experiencing a mental health problem ‘much more than usual’; the impact of the pandemic on overall mental health scores was nearly double the deterioration seen between 2014-15 and 2017-18; the share of people who report experiencing at least one mental health problem ‘much more than usual’ has more than doubled, from one in ten to almost one in four of those aged 16 and over; younger women have the highest rates of poor mental health on this measure; the young have seen significantly greater deteriorations in their mental health than have older groups, and women more than men; and being furloughed was associated with a deterioration in mental health to the extent that it came with a reduction in earnings, but no additional deterioration beyond that explained by falling earnings.

Xiaowei Xu, senior research economist at IFS, said: “The effects of Covid-19 and the associated lockdown on mental health have been very big indeed. Young people and women, already at more risk of mental health problems, have experienced particularly big impacts on their mental health. These impacts need to be weighed alongside economic and other health effects of policies as we move out of lockdown. It will be important to monitor changes in mental health and to make sure that appropriate support is given to those who are struggling.”

Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “As we move into the next phase, councils’ unique insight and understanding of their communities means they are best placed to lead local efforts to address the impact of the pandemic on their residents’ mental health and well-being, and to provide reassurance, including for those who are vulnerable and may still be shielded or self-isolating.

“Councils also have a crucial role to play in issues affecting wider mental health, such as housing, skills, employment, transport and public spaces. Therefore these services and the expected increase in demand as lockdown measures are lifted need to be met and fully funded by government.”