Policy Watch
An eye on policy changes in Ireland, the UK and beyond
Covid-19 Mental Health Impacts
The British Medical Journal published survey-based research into the mental health impacts of the pandemic which found that more socio-economically deprived respondents had consistently worse mental health, “a stark warning given that economic recession is expected to increase the numbers of families under financial strain”.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland said that there could be as much as a 30% increase in demand for mental health services post lockdown. NI’s mental health champion predicted a 20% increase in mental health need as fallout from the pandemic and said that the Health Minister "has committed to finding the money from the health budget for mental health".