Survey finds two thirds saw mental health deteriorate during pandemic

Loneliness, money worries and concern for family members have caused more stress and anxiety among Shropshire residents during lockdown than fear of catching Covid-19, according to a new survey.

Healthwatch Shropshire polled 568 people during April and May to assess the impact the pandemic and lockdown restrictions were having on their mental state and healthcare needs.

The group’s report, published ahead of a meeting of Shropshire Council’s health and wellbeing board next week, reveals nearly two thirds of respondents reported a ‘slight’ or ‘significant’ impact on their mental health.

Of the 283 respondents who provided further detail, 29 per cent put their heightened stress and anxiety down to loneliness and isolation, while 17 per cent were worried about a family member’s health or trying to support them.

Concerns around work and finances were cited by 13 per cent of respondents, while just 11 per cent said their mental health had suffered over fear of catching the virus.

The report says: “The responses showed that key workers and people working during the pandemic reported a greater impact on their mental health and wellbeing than those not working.

“Key workers were most affected with 18 per cent telling us they had experienced a ‘significant impact’.

“Some people went into detail and explained their anxiety about their working arrangements, safety in the work place, redeployment and the risks of taking Covid-19 home to their families.

“As well as hearing from front-line workers we heard from teachers and head teachers about the stress they were experiencing due to workload, demands
from parents and the need to continue to support students through the school holidays.”

The survey found 20 per cent of people caring for an adult had experienced a ‘significant’ impact on their mental health compared with 14 per cent of people caring for a child and 15 per cent of people with no caring responsibilities.

The report says: “People told us they had concerns about access to outside help (including carers) and not being able to attend social/support groups leading to the loss of routine, which is so important to people with autism for example, and respite.

“Some people talked about the challenges of caring for an adult while also trying to home school their own children.”

The survey also revealed 40 per cent of people had seen their healthcare affected by the pandemic, while 10 per cent of people accessing social care services said they had seen an impact in this area.

The report says: “While many people understood why appointments had been cancelled, delayed or changed to a phone or video appointment during lockdown those people requiring check-ups, diagnostic tests or treatment were upset and worried, many reporting a deterioration in their condition or increased pain.

“This was made worse by the fear some people were experiencing about leaving the house or going to a hospital because they were concerned about catching the virus.

“Some people who were offered a face-to-face appointment had refused.”

Some respondents described reducing the number of carer visits they received due to fears of catching the virus.

Healthwatch Shropshire has made a series of recommendations to Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin sustainability and transformation partnership (STP) as a result of the survey’s findings.

They include providing clear information on what services are available and safety measures that have been put in place, contacting affected patients to offer reassurance and waiting times around their treatment, providing emotional and practical support to carers and promoting self care and healthy lifestyles.

To address the deterioration in mental health, the group further recommends the STP should, “develop the mental health offer to support people with anxiety and depression as a result of the pandemic, including those who have become reluctant to leave their home and access services”.

A presentation on the report will be given at the health and wellbeing board meeting next Thursday, September 10.