Effect of the Covid Pandemic on Mental Health

The effect of the Covid pandemic on mental health is likely to be profound. Mental health issues associated with the virus will probably be felt for many years.

According to a research paper on suicide from the Northern Ireland Assembly, there is “emerging” evidence that mental health of younger people has been “disproportionately affected”.

The issues of declining mental health and suicide and suicide risk should not be combined, as it could increase the likelihood of normalising suicidal behaviour.

The pandemic has increased the burden on mental health. There are a number of factors that will have had a negative effect on many people and their mental health. The pandemic brought with it restrictions on going outdoors and seeing other people, which contributes to loneliness. It also caused increased anxiety due to job loss and less income.

Facing illness and bereavement will also impact on mental health, as people fear and worry about themselves and loved ones. The stress and fear is only exacerbated by the fact they aren’t even allowed to see or be with others in a time of need.

Throughout the whole situation there has been the sense of uncertainty.

Although the pandemic has affected subsections of the population differently. For example, front-line workers, those in hospital or suffering long Covid, and those with less social or economic resources.

The impact on children

In particular, young people have been most affected, and experts warn of the huge impact the pandemic is having on children. Recent research suggests that anxiety and depression is more common in young people and children in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK.

13,348 referrals were made to Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) services in Northern Ireland, in 2020.

However, monthly figures released by the Department of Health (DoH) show referrals fell sharply in the first months of lockdown from March to May. In April 2020 there were 470 referrals to CAMHS, and in May there were 618. This compares to 1,474 in February, and 1,636 in January of the same year. Referrals rose again to 1,508 by September 2020.

Spend on mental health care in Northern Ireland remains the lowest in the UK. It is estimated to be about 7% of the total healthcare budget. According to the Department of Health (NI), this is 27% less than the mental health budget in England and 20% less than in Ireland.

Mental health and suicide

The research paper describes the circumstances which might lead someone to take their own life as “complex and unique.” Caution should be taken when linking poor mental health and suicide risk. There is a wide range of support for people who feel suicidal.

There are concerns about the possible impact of the pandemic on suicide rates though.

Provisional data from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) shows an increase of 33.5% in suicide deaths between 2019 (with 197 deaths) and 2020 (with 263 deaths).

However, not all deaths recorded in 2020 will have happened during the pandemic period, due to delays in the registration process. Given this, it will be some time yet before we get a complete picture.

About 70% of those who died by suicide in Northern Ireland were not already known to mental health services.

Funding constraints remain a significant challenge to implementing the suicide prevention strategy for Northern Ireland.

Suicide has a devastating impact on families, communities and society as a whole. But given time and the appropriate support, people can get through a suicidal crisis and recover. One of the first steps is to encourage people to talk about how they feel. This way, family or friends, GPs, or confidential services like Samaritans or Lifeline can help offer support.

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