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. 2021 Dec;56(12):2287-2297.
doi: 10.1007/s00127-021-02105-w. Epub 2021 May 18.

Rates and predictors of uptake of mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of 26,720 adults in the UK in lockdown

Feifei Bu  1 , Hei Wan Mak  1 , Daisy Fancourt  2
Affiliations

Rates and predictors of uptake of mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of 26,720 adults in the UK in lockdown

Feifei Bu et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a great strain on people's mental health. A growing number of studies have shown worsening mental health measures globally during the pandemic. However, there is a lack of empirical study on how people support their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine a number of formal and informal mental health support. Further, it explored factors that might be associated with the use of different types mental health support.

Methods: Data from 26,720 adults in the UCL COVID-19 Social Study were analysed between 13th April 2020 and 3rd July 2020. Data were analysed using logistic and Poisson regression models.

Results: About 45% of people reported talking to friends or family members to support their mental health, 43% engaging in self-care activities, 20% taking medication, 9% speaking to mental health professionals, 8% talking to a GP or other health professional, and another 8% using helpline or online services. Gender, education, living status, loneliness, pre-existing mental health conditions, general depression and anxiety, coping and personality were found to be associated with the use of mental health support.

Conclusion: While the negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are inevitable, people can play an active role in managing their mental health. Understanding the patterns and predictors of various kinds of mental health support during the pandemic is crucial for future service planning and delivery through recognising potential barriers to mental health care faced by certain groups.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coping; Mental health; Service; Support.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prevalence of using different types and total number of mental health support by pre-existing mental health diagnosis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Incident risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals from the Poisson regression model including all predictors (N = 26,720)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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