Rise in Depression Over Lockdown
Depression in Scotland is not publicised enough. This horrible, even fatal mental illness seems to have slipped politicians minds. But just how much have lockdowns in Scotland directly been linked to a free fall in the Scottish public’s mental health?
Mental health in Scotland is a serious issue. We have a tough attitude of being an incredibly ‘hard’ race of people with tough breaking points. However, with the world learning more and more about the intense inner workings of the brain, how much do Scots struggle with an illness such as depression?
According to Mental Health Scotland, depression in Scotland and the UK affects one in five people, quite the opposite to the tough image us Scots like to give. In 2021, twice as many people went to see the doctor with feelings of depression than the previous year, according to the NHS. These are staggering statistics. But with Covid-19 hitting our lives in March 2020, our nation was thrown into a dark place as we were asked to stay home not see family, partners, or friends. We had to give up many of the qualities of life we all enjoy such as football, cinema, pubs, restaurants, concerts and other activities. This new dreaded term that was branded ‘lockdown’, would continue to haunt the Scottish public right up until now.
So, how much have lockdowns increased mental health rates, and by how much?
The statistics from the Mental Health Foundation Scotland show that 64 per cent of the Scottish public felt worried and anxious only three weeks into the pandemic. This was due to fear, worry, and general stress that new restrictions had pushed onto their lives. However, it does show that depression declined by three months as it dropped to 54 per cent. These statistics equate to more than half of the population. This shows the decline in peoples wellbeing, for example, people who live alone and have no visitors, which takes away any form of social interaction. This shows that depression can be fatal, which is a horrible thought in these tough times the country faces. In June till September 2020 during the height of the lockdowns, suicides increased by 28 per cent. Men made up for 71 per cent of these statistics, according to an NHS study.
The worst suffering group of the pandemic sadly is our young people. They seem to be the group most impacted by this situation and the group with the most suicides. Mental Health Foundation Scotland say 18–24-year-olds have a 15 per cent rate of suicidal thoughts and feelings than any other age group in the country over the course of the lockdowns.
This devastating fact shows that young people have seriously suffered from the rules set up by our government, so this begs the question, is the public’s mental wellbeing actually being considered? With suicides and mental health issues increasing and people not being allowed to see the doctors, and being denied help for mental health issues, this is extremely worrying for the Scottish people. The government need to think about the people whose lives are at risk and the devastating fact that the virus is not the only killer in this pandemic.