Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental illness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on English adults' presentation to primary care for mental illness using the OpenSafely platform
IRAS ID
313642
Contact name
Matthias Pierce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 28 days
Research summary
In the opening months of the pandemic, there were immediate concerns that, as well its effect on our physical health, there would be substantial effects on our mental health and wellbeing. Surveys showed that there was substantial distress during the early phases of the pandemic, and worsening of symptoms of anxiety and depression, although, for many, this may have improved by the summer of 2020. The effect has not been even: with women, young people and parents amongst those experiencing the worst declines in their mental health.
Whilst surveys can provide useful information on the average response of the population at particular time-points, they do not tell us whether there has been an increase in mental illness from the pandemic and which groups might have been most at risk. Knowing this is vital piece of our understanding of the effects of the pandemic, and will be of interest to both policymakers and the public, leading to better decisions on mitigating the pandemic’s effects, and to help learn for future pandemics.
This study will investigate trends in attendance to English primary practices for anxiety and depression. Participating general practices will be English practices who use the TPP clinical software system, covering roughly 40% of all patients. This is an observational study and there will be no direct contact with patients. All patients in the UK have the option to opt-out from having their records used for research purposes.
We shall address the following research questions:
1. Has the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a higher than expected number of people presenting to primary care services with anxiety or depression?
2. If so, then which demographic subgroups were most affected?
3. Were there periods of the pandemic that were associated with the highest rates?REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
22/WA/0082
Date of REC Opinion
11 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion