This archive report was first published on 14 July 2020.
As the world grapples with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, the new president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Adrian James, has sounded the alarm on the inevitable rise in mental illness. In his first interview since taking up the post, Dr. James warned that the pandemic would have "multiple layers" of fallout, affecting both those with pre-existing mental health conditions and those who had never suffered before.
Dr. James emphasized the need for support for NHS frontline staff, as well as screening for mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for those recovering from Covid-19. He also warned that waiting lists for treatment would rise substantially, including for young children and older people.
"There will be very significant mental illness consequences of COVID, and we need to be ready," Dr. James said. He noted that the pandemic had exacerbated problems for people with pre-existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression, but that fewer had sought help due to fears over catching the virus.
However, as demand for mental health services has begun to rise again, Dr. James warned that services would be stretched. "A lot of need was sort of suppressed," he said. "And then, of course, you can only do that for some time. As we know happens with people with mental illness if you don't treat early, it becomes more acute and you present in crisis."
Dr. James also highlighted the complex nature of grief during the pandemic, citing cases where people were told that a loved one would die within 24 hours, only to be given the opportunity to see them before they passed away. He warned that those recovering from Covid-19 face a range of possible mental health issues, including PTSD, which can be resistant to treatment unless treated early.
According to research by University College London, one-fifth of Britons have contemplated self-harming during lockdown, with 8,000 people (18 per cent) reporting thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The survey was self-selecting and promoted by mental health organizations, indicating that respondents may have accessed mental health supports previously.
Dr. James' warnings come as the impact of the coronavirus crisis has been mentioned in at least 11 recent inquests for those who died by suspected suicide.
