British Journal of Psychiatry, 217(4), 2020, pp.540-542.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on population mental health are unknown. We need to understand the scale of any such impact in different sections of the population, who is most affected and how best to mitigate, prevent and treat any excess morbidity. We propose a coordinated and interdisciplinary mental health science response.
(Edited publisher abstract)
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on population mental health are unknown. We need to understand the scale of any such impact in different sections of the population, who is most affected and how best to mitigate, prevent and treat any excess morbidity. We propose a coordinated and interdisciplinary mental health science response.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, mental health problems, psychosocial intervention, mental health services;
Focusing on the relationship between wellbeing and housing, this summary provides some insights from the data in Covid:WIRED, a Covid-19 inequalities evidence dashboard. There are long-standing inequalities within the housing system: the type and quality of housing, affordability and access to amenities vary across different communities and groups. These inequalities have a direct impact...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Focusing on the relationship between wellbeing and housing, this summary provides some insights from the data in Covid:WIRED, a Covid-19 inequalities evidence dashboard. There are long-standing inequalities within the housing system: the type and quality of housing, affordability and access to amenities vary across different communities and groups. These inequalities have a direct impact on the drivers of wellbeing, such as physical and mental health, our perceptions of the community around us and our social relationships. They also can directly impact on our overall wellbeing. The onset of the pandemic meant that existing inequalities in conditions at home were exacerbated by lockdown because more time was spent there, but also because they have affected how different people were able to respond to the lockdown, such as whether they could work from home. The data shows that housing conditions had a stronger independent effect on wellbeing in the first lockdown than before the pandemic; the wellbeing gap between renters and owners has widened over the lockdown period (controlled for income and relationship status). In addition, the composition of households affected the risk of infection from Covid-19: a panel study found the risk was determined by the number of social contacts individuals make, which increased with the number of people in the household. Monitoring both the tangible effects of housing on the drivers of wellbeing as well as its effects on subjective wellbeing will help to craft and evaluate policy and practice responses.
(Edited publisher abstract)
...potential. Conversely, greater parental support and perceived control during the pandemic are associated with lower perceived stress and child abuse potential. Results also indicate racial and ethnic differences in COVID-19 related stressors, but not in mental health risk, protective factors, perceived stress, or child abuse potential. Conclusion: Findings suggest that although families experience
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objective: This study examined the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to parental perceived stress and child abuse potential. Participants and Setting: Participants included parents (N = 183) with a child under the age of 18 years in the western United States. Method: Tests of group differences and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to assess the relationships among demographic characteristics, COVID-19 risk factors, mental health risk factors, protective factors, parental perceived stress, and child abuse potential. Results: Greater COVID-19 related stressors and high anxiety and depressive symptoms are associated with higher parental perceived stress. Receipt of financial assistance and high anxiety and depressive symptoms are associated with higher child abuse potential. Conversely, greater parental support and perceived control during the pandemic are associated with lower perceived stress and child abuse potential. Results also indicate racial and ethnic differences in COVID-19 related stressors, but not in mental health risk, protective factors, perceived stress, or child abuse potential. Conclusion: Findings suggest that although families experience elevated stressors from COVID-19, providing parental support and increasing perceived control may be promising intervention targets.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This research used data from two online surveys administered during the first and second national lockdown periods to monitor the mental health and wellbeing of the Welsh population; build an understanding of the factors affecting mental health and wellbeingduring the pandemic; identify factors that protected individuals against the stressful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The major findings...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This research used data from two online surveys administered during the first and second national lockdown periods to monitor the mental health and wellbeing of the Welsh population; build an understanding of the factors affecting mental health and wellbeingduring the pandemic; identify factors that protected individuals against the stressful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The major findings from this survey are that the Welsh population has experienced a further reduction in mentalwellbeing from the first survey (June-July 2020) to the second survey (January-March 2021).Levels of wellbeing were lower in the second survey (2021) compared to the first survey (2020), which were already low compared to pre-pandemic data (2019). Rates of clinically significant psychological distress were found in 40.4% of the 2021 sample representing a 9.8% increase in prevalence from the first survey. As found in the first survey, mental health continues to be worse in women, young adults and individuals living in deprived areas and the gap in mental health and wellbeing between young and old adults continues to broaden. The second survey also identified that food insecurity, domestic abuse, prior history of mental health problems, social isolation, financial problems, and difficulties accessing necessary healthcare were the factors most strongly associated with psychological distress. Analysis of protective factors found that hope, resilience, and social connectedness were the most important factors in protecting against poor wellbeing and psychological distress during the pandemic.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing explores evidence of the unequal effects of Covid-19 on young Black men, including from the Shifting the Dial project, a 3-year programme seeking to promote positive mental health among young African Caribbean men aged 16-25 in Birmingham. The briefing finds that: disruption to education is widening inequalities experienced by young Black men, who are more likely to be excluded...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing explores evidence of the unequal effects of Covid-19 on young Black men, including from the Shifting the Dial project, a 3-year programme seeking to promote positive mental health among young African Caribbean men aged 16-25 in Birmingham. The briefing finds that: disruption to education is widening inequalities experienced by young Black men, who are more likely to be excluded and have their grades underpredicted; young Black men aged 16-25 are amongst the hardest hit by job losses and are more likely to report a fall in income because of lockdown; Covid-19 enforcement and policing are disproportionately affecting young Black men, who are much more likely to be stopped and searched and issued fines for breaching lockdown measures; as a result of some of these challenges, young Black men are at risk of higher levels of mental distress during the pandemic compared to other groups. This briefing calls for urgent cross-government action to address the inequalities faced by young Black men, and to offer tailored support to protect their mental health and future prospects. It also calls for targeted educational and employment support for young Black men, a moratorium on all school exclusions in the aftermath of the pandemic, and a review into their policing during the pandemic.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
black and minority ethnic people, young people, Covid-19, education, employment, mental health;
Almost a century of research on the effects of unemployment on people’s health has clearly established that unemployment is associated with poorer mental health and wellbeing. This article describes the findings of a study on the impact of involuntary unemployment on the everyday life of people living in Bradford during the 2009-2010 recession. The study consisted of 16 focus groups involving 33...
Almost a century of research on the effects of unemployment on people’s health has clearly established that unemployment is associated with poorer mental health and wellbeing. This article describes the findings of a study on the impact of involuntary unemployment on the everyday life of people living in Bradford during the 2009-2010 recession. The study consisted of 16 focus groups involving 33 men and 40 women of mixed ethnic backgrounds. It utilised a theoretical framework that interprets jobs losses as status passages (i.e. an individual’s movement into a different part of the social ladder). The findings showed that unemployment can change people’s personal and social identities. Three main experiences that contributed to make involuntary unemployment an undesired and downward passage were identified: reduced agency; disruption of role-based identities; and experiences of ‘spoiled identities’ such as ‘unemployment stigma’, ‘welfare stigma’, and ‘mental health stigma’. The findings demonstrate the need to be aware of the effects of stigma, not only of unemployment but also of the depression associated with it.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, self-concept, stereotyped attitudes, unemployment, wellbeing, benefits, depression;
This guide supports early years educators to gain an understanding of the kinds of stresses and challenges children and their families may be experiencing in their everyday lives during the pandemic and the impacts these have on children’s wellbeing, learning and development. Covid-19 has also become a risk factor for children and some children have been more adversely affected than others...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This guide supports early years educators to gain an understanding of the kinds of stresses and challenges children and their families may be experiencing in their everyday lives during the pandemic and the impacts these have on children’s wellbeing, learning and development. Covid-19 has also become a risk factor for children and some children have been more adversely affected than others by the impact of Covid-19 since it began. For many children such adversity is new, while for others, negative impacts of Covid-19 have been added to adversities they were already experiencing. A lack of access to the supports usually available in the community means that, for those families who would normally avail of such supports, the pressures are even greater. Topics covered include: the impacts of Covid-19 on children; children and stress; the importance of relationships; providing for play; the effect of the environment; supporting children with their behaviour; supporting the development of resilience; emotional co-regulation; partnership with parents; and observation and documentation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
children, Covid-19, early years education, child development, wellbeing;
A rapid literature search and screen identified one systematic review and six guideline/briefing documents for inclusion in this rapid summary. The systematic review and guidelines put forward a range of recommendations which may be effective for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare staff during times of extreme pressure / crisis. The following approaches to support mental...
(Edited publisher abstract)
A rapid literature search and screen identified one systematic review and six guideline/briefing documents for inclusion in this rapid summary. The systematic review and guidelines put forward a range of recommendations which may be effective for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare staff during times of extreme pressure / crisis. The following approaches to support mental health and wellbeing were recommended in several of the sources identified: regular communication and accurate updates to staff; encourage supportive peer and team relationships; normalise psychological responses; psychological first aid and other education or training; ensure staff are aware of psychological and wellbeing services available and how to access them. Other recommendations identified in one or two of the sources include: delivering more formal psychological care in stepped ways (if required); web-based support and discussion groups for staff; rotating workers from higher stress to lower stress functions and buddying workers up to provide support, ensuring consistent access to physical safety needs (such as PPE, areas to rest, food and drink) and an active monitoring and readjustment period for after the high stress period.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health, wellbeing, Covid-19, staff management, health professionals, intervention;
This report considers the financial wellbeing of people providing unpaid care (outside their own household) in April and May 2020, during the UK’s official lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on data from the April 2020 wave of Understanding Society COVID-19 survey, the analysis also looks at carers’ likelihood of being furloughed and at changes in their working hours...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report considers the financial wellbeing of people providing unpaid care (outside their own household) in April and May 2020, during the UK’s official lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on data from the April 2020 wave of Understanding Society COVID-19 survey, the analysis also looks at carers’ likelihood of being furloughed and at changes in their working hours, analysing these by sex, age and employment status. An estimated 6,048,286 adults provided care to someone living outside their own household in the UK in 2020. They are a ‘subset’ of the 10,991,440 adults estimated to be carers. The analysis shows that In May 2020, carers had lower financial wellbeing than other people in the population – 21.5% experienced some degree of financial strain, saying they were ‘just about getting by’ or finding it ‘quite’ or ‘very’ difficult to do so and among women, more carers (22.3%) than non-carers (17.9%) had low financial wellbeing. 1 in 5 carers expected to be ‘worse off’ in April (1 in 8 in May) – their short-term finances were a concern for more people aged 31-65 than in other age groups, among both carers and other people. In May 2020, among people with paid jobs (including for carers), 1 in 5 were on furlough – 1 in 4 working carers aged 17-30 were furloughed, and 1 in 5 at other ages while 1 in 4 male carers were furloughed compared with 1 in 5 female carers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
surveys, carers, Covid-19, personal finance, employment, conditions of employment, low income;
Aging and Mental Health, early cite 28 April 2021,
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Little is known about how community services and institutional care settings have adapted to providing support since the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to explore how these care services have adapted during the pandemic in the UK and are providing care to people living with dementia (PLWD) and carers. Method: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted in June and July 2020...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objectives: Little is known about how community services and institutional care settings have adapted to providing support since the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to explore how these care services have adapted during the pandemic in the UK and are providing care to people living with dementia (PLWD) and carers. Method: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted in June and July 2020 with 16 purposefully sampled unpaid dementia carers. Participants were asked about their experiences of accessing care services since the lockdown, and whether they were beneficial, if accessed at all. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) Impacts of no activities; (2) Difficulties accessing care during the pandemic; (3) Remote vs. face-to-face support. Loss of access to previously enjoyed activities and having had to shield for many PLWD is suggested to have led to severe physical and cognitive deteriorations, advancing the dementia. Where remote support was available, this was helpful to some, but did not replace the benefits of face-to-face support. Where PLWD were residing in a care home, carers had very limited remote access. Conclusions: This is the first study to explore the impact on carers both from a community and institutionalised care angle. Few care services have adapted to providing remote support. With the vaccine taking time to be accessible to everyone, it is vital for organisations to work closely with carers and PLWD to adapt services to provide much needed support.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, dementia, residential care, community care, care homes, digital technology, carers;