Researchers have warned of a “growing mental health crisis” in a new study that charts a rise in psychological distress among UK adults since the start of the pandemic.
The study, published this month on Jama Network Open, found that levels of severe distress had increased across all age groups, except for those over 65. The rise was most marked among young people. One in five young adults aged 18-24 reported having experienced severe distress at the end of 2022, compared to around one in seven in 2021.
The research, which involved academics from King's College London and University College London, is based on telephone surveys conducted between April 2020 and December 2022. In total, 51,861 adults from around the UK were contacted during this time. They were asked how often in the last 30 days they had experienced a number of negative feelings such as worthlessness or hopelessness. Participants were then asked to rate their feelings on a five-point scale. The survey found that severe levels of distress have increased by 46 per cent since the start of the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it an assortment of stressors, including fear of risk of infection, work and school closures, reduced social contact, financial strain, and uncertainty about the future," said the study.
However, the authors suggest that the rise in levels of distress since 2021 is likely linked to subsequent events such as the crises in cost of living and healthcare. As the study notes: "These national pressures have occurred in the context of other international emergencies, including the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine.”
That economic factors are contributing to this downturn in mental health is supported by a separate survey conducted by the NHS in 2022. It found that among 17 to 22 year olds with a probable mental disorder, 14.8 per cent reported living in a household that had experienced not being able to buy enough food or using a food bank in the past year, compared with 2.1 per cent of young people unlikely to have a mental disorder.
Such trends among young adults are particularly concerning. Experts have warned that high levels of distress during a key period of development may increase the risk of subsequent mental health problems. The publication of this research has renewed calls for preventative solutions and further funding for services.
The new study concludes: “These findings provide evidence of a growing mental health crisis in England and underscore an urgent need to address its cause and to adequately fund mental health services.”
If you are experiencing distress or struggling with your mental health you can find local support through Pathfinder here.
