Abstract
PurposeThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a great strain on people’s mental health. A growing number of studies have shown worsening mental health measures globally during the pandemic. However, there is a lack of empirical study on how people support their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine a number of formal and informal mental health support. Further, it explored factors that might be associated with the use of different types mental health support.MethodsData from 26,720 adults in the UCL COVID-19 Social Study were analysed between 13th April 2020 and 3rd July 2020. Data were analysed using logistic and Poisson regression models.ResultsAbout 45% of people reported talking to friends or family members to support their mental health, 43% engaging in self-care activities, 20% taking medication, 9% speaking to mental health professionals, 8% talking to a GP or other health professional, and another 8% using helpline or online services. Gender, education, living status, loneliness, pre-existing mental health conditions, general depression and anxiety, coping and personality were found to be associated with the use of mental health support.ConclusionWhile the negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are inevitable, people can play an active role in managing their mental health. Understanding the patterns and predictors of various kinds of mental health support during the pandemic is crucial for future service planning and delivery through recognising potential barriers to mental health care faced by certain groups.
Highlights
The stress and anxiety caused by the emergence of the COVID19 pandemic, the restrictions on social distancing, reduced access to local and health services, changes in working environment and employment schemes, and the closure of leisure events and infrastructures have caused unprecedented impacts on people’s mental health and well-being
To understand how different types of mental health support varied across personal characteristics and background, we considered a wide range of potential predictors
34% of the sample had a degree or other higher education qualification, 57% were in employment, 58% with a household income under £30,000, and 21% lived in a rural area
Summary
The stress and anxiety caused by the emergence of the COVID19 pandemic, the restrictions on social distancing (e.g. quarantine, national lockdown), reduced access to local and health services, changes in working environment and employment schemes (e.g. the furlough scheme), and the closure of leisure events and infrastructures have caused unprecedented impacts on people’s mental health and well-being. To promote population mental health, health services across the UK have been providing guidelines and information to help people to get access to social care and support during the pandemic. These include helplines, recommended home workout and relaxation techniques [9]. It is vital to ascertain in more detail the demographics of people who have not been accessing either formal or informal support to inform the targeting of further more specific support towards groups who may be facing more barriers to mental health care
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