Prevent winter ‘mental health crisis’, says Labour

Labour has called on the government to enact a mental health and well-being guarantee this winter, following concerns that a second lockdown could see mental health problems ‘explode’.

The number of people suffering from depression nearly doubled during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and the opposition party is warning that failing to act could lead to a crisis for thousands of people suffering from stress and anxiety triggered by a second wave in the coming months.

The Duke of Cambridge recently warned of a ‘mental health catastrophe’ caused by further lockdown measures while Alastair Campbell, a campaigner on mental health issues, suggested mental illness could become a second pandemic. The calls follow a study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which revealed levels of anxiety, worry and loneliness are at their highest in months while life satisfaction has fallen.

Anxiety levels remain at the highest recorded since April, while 49 per cent of adults said their wellbeing is being affected by the virus – the highest since mid-April. More than three quarters of adults (76 per cent) are very or somewhat worried about the impact of coronavirus on their lives – the highest proportion since April, the ONS said. Additionally, 27 per cent of adults said they feel lonely often, always or some of the time – the highest proportion since May.

Labour is calling for a mental health and well-being guarantee which would see the government actively promote ways to improve mental health as people face restrictions, ensure continued access to services and treatment that might be affected by lockdowns, commit to ensuring data is regularly collected on mental health and referral times and regularly meet with experts from the sector.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour's shadow mental health minister, said: “The government has turned a blind eye to the mental health crisis that has exploded following the government’s response to Covid-19. People’s mental health across the country has been hugely impacted by Covid-19 and the government's lack of action. The time to act is now – we need a concerted government strategy for mental health this winter.”