Our response to Covid-19

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Centre for Mental Health news


** May 2020
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Hello from Sarah!
Dear Friends,

As the weeks rumble on we all continue to do our very best. Getting through each day can be tough and so we hope you are doing okay. My plans to learn French during this time went out the window fairly rapidly and, like many of you, I am just trying to make sense of what is a difficult and confusing time. I hear a lot about people putting themselves under pressure to achieve new things during this time; I think that's a big ask. I am encouraging all those around me to focus on their wellbeing, to stay present using mindfulness and to limit news intake. Oh and I throw in an exercise routine each day, that helps too! But I also want to acknowledge that it can be near-impossible to turn this experience into a pot of gold; for many, it is far from that.

Our focus continues to be on responding to the mental health aspects of the pandemic, for instance through our forecasting work ([link removed]) , A Year in Our Lives ([link removed]) project, and resource for people with severe mental illness ([link removed]) . Take a look at this overview of how we're working to make a difference during coronavirus ([link removed]) .

As always we at the Centre send our best wishes to you and hope that the work we are doing is helpful, do let us know.

Take care and see you soon.
Sarah

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Covid-19 and the nation’s mental health: Forecasting needs and risks in the UK (May 2020) ([link removed])

How will the coronavirus pandemic affect the nation’s mental health?

This new briefing is our first assessment of the likely impacts of Covid-19 on mental health in Britain. It uses evidence from previous epidemics internationally and from the aftermath of the 2008 banking crisis to estimate what effect Covid-19 will have on mental health at population level in the UK.

Download the report ([link removed])
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Andy and Alethea look at the key findings from the report and discuss how the pandemic is likely to affect people's mental health

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Trauma, mental health and coronavirus ([link removed])

Covid-19 has brought abrupt changes to everyday life. Many people will have felt isolated and disempowered at some point , and all will have experienced a loss – of their freedom, of their job, of their health, of a loved one.

While many will come through it without lasting negative effects on their mental health, there is evidence that quarantine conditions can have several long-term psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress symptoms, in some people.

When the acute phase of the physical health crisis has passed, addressing these social and psychological consequences of coronavirus must be made a priority. This briefing explores the ideas of collective trauma, and what the process of recovery may look like.

Download the report ([link removed])
A Year in Our Lives 2020

Whether you have had a mental health difficulty before or not, whatever age you are, wherever you are from, we want to hear about how the pandemic is affecting your mental health ([link removed]) . We'll be sharing more information about how you can get involved over the next few weeks - keep an eye on our social media channels for more.

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Alethea shares more about our 'A Year In Our Lives' project, which will share people's stories and experiences of living through the coronavirus pandemic, and what it's meant for their mental health.
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The Centre's writer in residence Mark Brown shares some encouraging words and tips on writing about your experience, thoughts and feelings.

Publications

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Kidney disease and mental health ([link removed])
People living with kidney disease are twice as likely to have a mental health problem, compared to the general population in the UK, the most common being anxiety and depression.

This joint statement with Kidney Research UK highlights how vulnerable kidney patients already were before the coronavirus pandemic and shows that, without improved support, their mental health could worsen even more in the current climate.

Download the statement here ([link removed])
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Help us support those at the frontline of this mental health crisis ([link removed])

We know that the coronavirus pandemic is a physical health emergency on a global scale, such as we have never seen in our lifetimes. But it is also a mental health emergency. Our high quality, evidence-based research, evaluation and policy advice has never been more important during this time of uncertainty. Now more than ever, your support is so valuable.

Support us today ([link removed])
Blogs

Between the headlines: making sense of the evidence about mental health and Covid-19 ([link removed])
Andy explains how we'll be drawing together research evidence to make sense of the pandemic's impact on our mental health

Supporting bereaved parents during the pandemic ([link removed])
Alyx Elliott shares how Petals are continuing to deliver baby loss counselling to parents during the lockdown

An inconvenient truth? Older people’s mental health during Covid-19 ([link removed])
Jan reflects on the mental health implications of the pandemic for older people in care homes

How foster carers help looked-after children cope with the Covid-19 lockdown ([link removed])
Martin Barrow shares his experience of the challenges - and unexpected upsides - of lockdown for his foster children

All bets are off – Leadership in the times of Covid-19 ([link removed])
Poppy Jaman and Sarah Hughes explore how these challenging times can provide opportunities to change the way we work

Intelligent Kindness to the rescue? ([link removed])
Professor Dame Sue Bailey considers the role kindness can play in bringing about better mental health outcomes for all

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Sarah underlines why we're so dedicated to tackling inequality in mental health, especially in the age of Covid-19, and how we're working to put equality on the map in Government's the response to the pandemic
News
* At least half a million more people in UK may experience mental ill health as a result of Covid-19, says Centre's first forecast ([link removed])
* People with kidney disease need better mental health support during and after COVID-19, say charities ([link removed])
* New measure shows massive deterioration in the financial health of charities ([link removed])
* Recovery from Covid-19 needs to be trauma-informed to protect people’s mental health ([link removed])
* Equally Well UK welcomes Professor Wendy Burn as the new Clinical Group Chair ([link removed])
* Survey: Black Thrive is collecting evidence on how the pandemic is affecting people's lives for the Government's select committee on equalities and COVID-19 ([link removed]) [link removed]

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We hope you've enjoyed hearing about our work bringing equality for mental health closer.

We'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions for this newsletter and our digital presence - drop me an email at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected] )
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Best wishes,

Alethea Joshi
Digital & Communications Lead
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