Major rise in mental health referrals and relapses during lockdowns – survey

Covid-19 has resulted in a major rise in mental health referrals and relapses, according to a survey of psychiatrists.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned that Covid-19 is having a significant negative impact on mental health across the community.

The college surveyed 180 psychiatrists on the impact of Covid-19 on mental health in the seven-month period from June 2020 to the end of December last.

During that time, 36 per cent reported a significant increase in the volume of referrals for secondary mental health services.

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Thirty per cent reported a “significant increase” in emergency interventions and 28 per cent reported that the number of patients experiencing a relapse of mental health illness had also increased.

The rate of new referrals or relapses for self harm or suicidal ideation also faced a “significant increase” during this time.

Similarly, referrals and relapses reported for depression and generalised anxiety increased.

‘Enormous strain’

The pandemic has added "enormous strain on an already-fragile mental health service and there is little appreciation at a policy level for how serious the situation now is on the ground", Dr William Flannery, president of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland said.

While the survey does not include the impact of the most recent lockdown that began in January, “we can assume the figures it reveals have worsened in recent months,” Dr Flannery said.

“Even then, the figures we have for this survey starkly highlight the very serious impact which Covid-19 had on the mental health of the community through 2020,” he said.

Covid-19 has “exacerbated a problem that has been bubbling under the surface for some time”. Increased funding and resources are needed “before it is too late for thousands of people under serious and, in many cases, life-threatening strains.”

Dr Flannery said psychiatrists were under increasing pressure since the onset of Covid-19, which was an “unsustainable situation”.