By Ashley Young-
The ever changing restrictions arising from the pandemic is impacting the mental health of a proportion of Brits in a worrying way. Many people influencing people to drink and smoke more.
Limitations on access to mental health services, including support groups, counselling and medication is making it very difficult for those who normally would benefit from those services. Dating is also a lot more difficult than during normal times, as many people are more wary of intimate contact, leaving those without love in a state of emotional loneliness
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Many regular smokers and drinkers have admitted drinking in larger quantities than when pubs were open with unrestricted drinking. Over 90 % of England’s pubs are being forced to close from Boxing Day due to the restrictions, and many might never re-open.
Some £2bn in business rates relief has been returned to the government by large retailers such as supermarkets, and Labour says this should be used to help the hospitality industry.
Pubs and bars made £3.8bn in sales in November and December last year, but pub and bar owners are facing a hit to their revenues
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Researcher Stephen Lee from University College London(UCL) told The Eye Of Media.Com : ”Many people are suffering Intense psychological distress due to the stresses of current restrictions. Many reasons are responsible for this, including unemployment, loneliness, and depression. Boredom as well arising from restrictions on social life have increased the resort to more smoking and drinking for those who see it as their only form of escapism in these times.
U Turn
Also, frustration arising from the constant U turn in government rules that affect personal liberties has intensified anxiety and depression for many people, researchers say. Some of these U turns, like the latest, in which a new strain has been discovered, was absolutely necessary. It just hasn’t looked good where many U turns are being made.
University College London has been conducting weekly surveys with over 80,000 members of the UK public since 21 March. Reported levels of depression and anxiety are significantly higher than usual. Levels had been declining slowly since social distancing measures were introduced.
”Depression levels have been rising again since April, and the study found that self-reported depression and anxiety levels were higher in younger adults, those living alone, those with lower household income, and those with an existing mental health diagnosis.
Depression
Depression has also been higher in women than men, in those living in urban areas, and in people living with children compared to those living just with adult”.
This publication is aware of a number of people who claim to be suffering deeply from anxiety die to claims of stress and distress, usually influenced by other situations.
However, there are many more who are simply not reporting the level of anxiety they are facing because they are more comfortable handling it on their own, and they find it private. Those who are distrusting of the government and have nothing to sustain their joy are seriously impacted mentally by the current restrictions.
Increase In depression
Studies in the United States alone have shown depression and anxiety rate increasing to over 30%. At the same time, Covid-19 itself has known neurologic and mental health complications, including anxiety, insomnia, and depression. There is also new data suggesting those with substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders are at a higher risk for worsened outcomes from the disease.
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