Revitalising mental healthcare after covid-19

At the start of the covid-19 pandemic, mental health services needed to maintain access to support while protecting patients and staff from the virus.1 In May 2020, NHS mental health trusts in England opened 24/7 helplines offering advice and support.2 Some trusts created alternatives to emergency departments, with calmer environments for urgent assessment.3More than two years later, record numbers of people are seeking help. In July 2022 more than 1.6 million people in England contacted NHS mental health services—up 22.7% from April 2020, in the first peak of the pandemic. Open referrals of children and young people are 66% above pre-pandemic levels..4This may represent just the tip of an iceberg. In a Royal College of Psychiatrists survey in March 2022, a third of people reported worsened mental health owing to the pandemic.5 The Centre for Mental Health charity estimates that 10 million people in England will need mental health support…
Read Original Article: Revitalising mental healthcare after covid-19 »