A new study published in the Psychiatry Research by researchers from the University of Surrey, links increased levels of clinical depression among young people with the Covid-19 pandemic. You can read the full article here: COVID-19 pandemic severely impacts mental health of young people
The study utilised data from 259 young people that were surveyed about levels of depression, anxiety, wellbeing, alcohol use and sleep quality, in the autumn of 2019 and in May/June 2020.
Evidence showed a significant increase in symptoms of depression and a decrease on the general wellbeing of these individuals, comparing to the previous autumn. Additionally, levels of clinical depression have more than doubled, going from 14.9% in 2019 to 34.7% in 2020.
Researchers also found a correlation between the rise of depression and lower sleep quality during the pandemic, where young people preferred to wake up later and be more active in the night time. This “eveningness” was concerning to researchers, since it has been associated with elevated levels of anxiety and a higher prevalence of minor psychiatric conditions.
A more encouraging finding was the reduction of alcohol consumption, in the group that had been assigned restrictions in that period. This showed that young people were not depending on alcohol to cope with their emotions during the lockdown.
Dr Simon Evans, Lecturer in Neuroscience at the University of Surrey, commented : “Supporting the mental health of young people and ensuring they can access the support they need is vital to ensure their overall wellbeing. As social restrictions continue in response to the pandemic, it is crucial that we take steps to protect their mental health.”
The government shared important findings after the pandemic, among those are:
- The proportion of people experiencing sleep issues increased from 16% before the pandemic to 25% in April 2020.
- The average mental distress was 8.1% higher in April 2020 than it was between 2017 and 2019.
If you are someone experiencing symptoms of depression after the lockdown, please contact us at Salus Wellness Clinics for free advice and to explore possible solutions we can offer.