COVID Is the “Biggest Threat to Mental Health Since World War 2,” Says Leading Psychiatrist

According to the UK’s leading psychiatrist, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed the “greatest threat to mental health since the second world war,” with its impact to reverberate years after the crisis ends.

President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Adrian James, says a combo of the disease itself, its economic implications, and social consequences is ravaging the mental health of nearly 10 million people (including 1.5 million children). These individuals need either new or additional help and psychiatric attention as a direct result of the coronavirus.

Initially, the demand for mental health services appeared to decline as people steered clear of hospitals and doctor’s offices at the start of the pandemic. But this was followed up by a huge spike in people looking for mental health attention, and there are no signs of it slowing down any time soon.

“This is going to have a profound effect on mental health,” said Dr. James. “It is probably the biggest hit to mental health since the second world war. It doesn’t stop when the virus is under control and there are few people in hospital. You’ve got to fund the long-term consequences.”

The 1.5 million children facing anxiety and depression caused by social isolation or the hospitalization or death of a family member is of particular concern. It’s a crisis unlike anything this generation’s youth has faced.

These numbers may continue to soar as the “full impact becomes clear on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities,” as well as those with disabilities and in care homes.

Many have used the scary mental health statistics to argue against lockdowns. Dr. James holds that “mental health grounds for controlling the virus should not be ignored.”