Mind responds to pandemic mental health study

A research review of 137 studies published today in the British Medical Journal has suggested a “high level of resilience” throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Led by researchers at McGill University in Canada, and mostly analysing populations from high-income European and Asian countries, researchers argue that changes to “general mental health” have been “minimal to small”. However, the review also notes that overall, depression worsened, and particularly so in women, older people, university students and certain groups belonging to the LGBTQ+ communities.

Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind, said:

“The findings of this international research into the mental health effects of the pandemic are interesting, however they do not reflect the impact Mind witnessed in England and Wales during and after the pandemic. Mind’s local services have been facing increasing demand since the first lockdown, and during the pandemic the average complexity and length of calls to our Infoline increased significantly. Data from the Office for National Statistics also shows that average ratings for all measures of wellbeing still remain below pre-coronavirus pandemic levels.

"It’s important to note that most of the studies in this review are from high-income European and Asian countries, so overlook the toll taken on some less visible – but more disadvantaged – groups. In fact, the review notes that depression worsened overall and among women, older people, university students and people belonging to sexual or gender minorities. Mind will always call for an inclusive approach to mental health, which takes into account the needs of people from all backgrounds and particularly minority groups including people of colour and anyone experiencing poverty; who were hit particularly hard by the pandemic as a result of deep-rooted systemic factors.”