Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on presentations to crisis services
“In 2021, it was forecasted that 10 million people in England, could need support for their mental health over the next three to five years as a result of the impact of the pandemic.”
Background
The Covid-19 pandemic negatively impacted the populations mental health. In 2020, there was significant disruption to mental health services in England through restrictions to key referral pathways alongside an increase in demand.
This report was commissioned by the London Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Clinical Network.
Method
A brief literature review was conducted by the Zero Suicide Alliance research team. Multiple sources were reviewed to highlight the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of the population, how access to services changed and forecasts who will need care in the future.
Results
- In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health was negatively impacted across the country. This improved with the easing of restrictions, but certain groups had poorer mental health recovery.
- Young adults
- Women
- Ethnic minority groups
- Living with a physical or mental health condition
- Those living with children
- People with lower household incomes
- Reductions in referrals to primary care for children and young people, and older adults.
- Decrease in contacts from community mental health services, with fewer pre-existing patients seeking help and an increase in demand of new patients.
- Increase in emergency mental health cases in emergency departments, with more referrals for psychosis or mania, and cognitive impairment. Men and those previously unknown to the service were more likely to be admitted.
- Forecasted demands on services are to be 33 percent higher, with an 11 percent in services in the years after the pandemic.
Authors
Jade Corbridge and Amy Moores, Zero Suicide Alliance.
Audience
Professionals, healthcare professionals
