The NHS launched their first national campaign on mental health at the very end of November 2020 which comes following only 57,814 national referrals made in April 2020 compared to 133,191 in April 2019 (a 56% decrease).
We know from our communities that lockdown has only intensified the mental health struggles that so many people are facing.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported that almost one in five adults were likely to be experiencing some form of depression during the pandemic and almost one in eight developed moderate to severe depressive symptoms.
The ONS also found a marked increase in anxiety at the beginning of lockdown with almost half (49.6%) of people reporting high anxiety.
There is help available if you need it. Talking therapies are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression. You can self refer for talking therapies or a GP can refer.
Find out more at www.nhs.uk/talk