Psychiatric hospitals are experiencing severe COVID-19 outbreaks. As patients frequently share communal spaces and doors and windows are kept shut, these environments become conducive to the spread of airborne diseases. So severe is the situation, almost 40% of inpatients in UK psychiatric facilities contracted COVID-19 between March and April of this year. 

On the other hand, access to outpatient mental health services has been interrupted and reduced at a time when demand for such services is at its greatest, with cases of anxiety and depression exacerbated by isolation. This surge in demand will add increased pressure to an already overloaded and underfunded mental health service meaning patients could struggle to access necessary care. 

The main theme of this year’s World Mental Health day addresses the need for greater investment in mental health services which is needed now more than ever.

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Gerard is a Senior Analyst in the Health Policy and Clinical Evidence team. He holds a Masters in Health Education and Promotion from Maastricht University, where he is currently enrolled as an external PhD candidate. His areas of expertise are health promotion, evidence synthesis and workplace health.