It is now more than three years since the emergence of Covid-19 which led to a long period of economic and personal uncertainty, disruption and interrupted lives. In January 2020, human-to-human transmission was confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Three years ago, life, as we knew it, was put on hold, livelihoods were lost and childhoods suspended.
There was a new, common language, a redefinition of ‘normal.’ Terms and words that once seemed alien, such as social distancing and variants, have become all too familiar over the past 36 months. It is almost inconceivable that we have lost almost three years of our lives to a pandemic; harder still to imagine that, to date, according to the WHO, that almost seven million people have died.
While the pandemic is primarily perceived as a physical health crisis, it has also had widespread impact on people’s mental health, inducing, among other things, considerable levels of dread, fear, worry, anxiety and concern. The growing burden on mental health has been referred to by some analysts as the ‘second’ or ‘silent’ pandemic.
While negative mental health consequences affect all ages, young people, in particular, have been found to be at high risk of developing poor mental health. Specific groups have also been particularly hard hit, including health and care workers, people with pre-existing mental health problems, and women. The pandemic has also appeared to increase inequalities in mental health, both within the population among communities and between social groups.
There has been a wide institutional response to the pandemic and the array of analyses that accompany the different milestones is impressive, and telling. To address the population’s increased psycho-social needs, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe established an expert group on the mental health impacts of Covid-19 in the European region. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has issued analyses and guidance on mental health in general and the pandemic’s impact on mental health in particular.
A July 2020 European Parliament resolution recognises mental health as a fundamental human right, calling for a 2021-2027 EU action plan on mental health. Members of the European Parliament have also called on the Commission to put mental health at the heart of EU policymaking. Stakeholders broadly rally around calls for programmes and funding to improve citizens’ mental health, not least to respond to the pandemic’s long-term implications.
At European Union level, a December 2020 European Commission communication addressed the pandemic’s impact on mental health. According to the communication, the main psychological impact comprised elevated rates of stress or anxiety. However, as new measures were introduced – such as stay-at-home policies, quarantine and prolonged curfews – levels of loneliness, depression, harmful alcohol and drug use, self-harm, domestic violence and suicidal behaviour, also increased.
The OECD’s mental health performance framework project aims to establish how ‘performance’ in mental health should be defined, measured and improved across OECD countries. According to the six principles of mental health performance, a high-performing mental health system:
- focuses on the individual who is experiencing mental ill-health;
- has accessible, high quality mental health services;
- takes an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to mental health;
- prevents mental illness and promotes mental wellbeing;
- has strong leadership and good governance;
- is future-focused and innovative.
The drivers of declining mental health status during and after the coronavirus pandemic are associated with the increase in the below risk factors ……
- financial insecurity
- unemployment
- fear
- grief
- isolation
- poverty and inequality
….as well as an attendant decrease in protective factors
- social connection
- employment and educational engagement
- financial stability
- access to physical exercise
- daily routine
- access to mental health services
As we emerge from the pandemic, it is thought that many people will suffer psychological problems for years to come. Against a decade-long pattern of deteriorating mental health among European youths, experts warn the Covid-19 pandemic made everything worse. Numerous studies observed sharp increases in rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicide attempts.
‘Before the pandemic we had about 10-20% of children suffering from mental illness problems, not all of whom progressed to an impairment,’said Dr Nina Heinrichs, professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Bremen. ‘Now, from the last 2 years, it looks like it’ll go up to 20-25%.’
We are seeing a variety of statistics confirming that poor mental health is growing amongst the general European population and specifically in young people since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, May 2021) shows that the incidence of mental health problems among people aged between 15 and 24 has doubled in most countries during the pandemic. The same data shows that young people were 30% to 80% more likely to experience depression or anxiety than adults in certain countries (Belgium, France and the United States). Higher levels of loneliness are also being reported by young people.
Moreover, the State of the World’s Children report from UNICEF (October 2021) provides disturbing data about the breadth and depth of adolescent mental health issues and highlights that suicide is the second leading cause of young people’s death in Europe.
The above makes sobering reading and offers cause for concern on many fronts. However, there is an awareness of the problems at political, institutional and community levels, and there are (albeit incremental) parallel investments in assistance at micro and macro levels. I leave you with the below example form my own country, Ireland, which offers considerable fodder for thought – and action.
In the summer of 2020, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, working with the Department of Health and the youth sector, collaborated with SpunOut.ie to undertake an online survey of young people’s experiences of COVID-19. A Youth Advisory Group worked with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to guide the development and analysis of the consultation.
DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY YOUNG PEOPLE DURING COVID-19
- The COVID-19 crisis had negative effects on young people’s health and wellbeing, especially amongst some marginalised groups. The most common negative effects related to the mental health of respondents, including overthinking, concern, worry, anxiety, depression and a sense of utter hopelessness.
- More than a third of young people missed their friends, with those young people who engage with youth groups/clubs/services missing their friends slightly less.
- Many had concerns about their education, particularly those aged 18 or over.
- cabin fever
- isolation/loneliness
- missing relatives
- boredom/lack of motivation
- lack of routine
- work and money problems
- loss of social life
- lack of sport
- social distancing
- service reduction in mental health/addiction services, shops, public transport, hairdressers, etc
- cancellation of summer plans
- negative effects of media consumption.
POSITIVES FROM THE COVID-19 CRISIS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WISH TO CARRY FORWARD
- Around a quarter of young people were keen to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- The second most quoted benefit, especially amongst young women, was self-care.
- Quality family time, including time spent with family pets, was cherished by many young people.
- the remote/online life, hygiene/social distancing,
- a simpler/slower/quieter life, quality friendships, improved finances, feeling less pressured, not having the pressures of school/college and positive community spirit.
- For many young people, the increased use of technology in their daily lives brought benefits. These included no longer having to endure long commutes, avoiding bullies in school, making daily tasks like shopping easier, being able to enjoy the comforts of home more, and enabling communication with those far away.
Tom McGrath
