Research project explores the impact of COVID-19 on mental health
More than 4,500 people across Norfolk and Suffolk have taken part in vital research to help understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.
Over the past 16 months, NSFT’s research team has led a rapid programme focusing on the ways coronavirus has affected service users and healthcare professionals with the aim of improving the support which is available. The findings have also been shared with NSFT staff and other organisations to help inform clinical decisions and future service planning.
A range of steps have already been taken because of the research, including identifying where additional psychological support is required for staff and service users. It has also helped researchers learn more about the way people have experienced changes to care because of the pandemic, such as the move to digital care.
The next stage of the project will see the research team explore the longer-term impacts the pandemic is having on the social determinants of mental health in more detail, including access to affordable food, finances, and overall wellbeing.
Dr Bonnie Teague, Head of Research at NSFT, said: “During the past 16 months, we have developed a comprehensive and co-produced programme of survey work, interviews and evaluations, with more than 4,500 people taking part. Our aim has been to understand the impact of COVID-19 on our Trust staff and service users, and how this compares with the general population.
“We have adapted our research at each stage of the pandemic, and have looked at the impact of lockdown and the easing the restrictions, as well as the introduction of the vaccine and how we can encourage people to make an informed choice about whether to have it.
“One of our first pieces of work explored the mental health impact of previous pandemics, such as Spanish flu and H1N1. This showed high levels of depression which lasted far beyond the pandemics themselves, mostly driven by the pandemics’ economic impact. This work also helped us to understand which particular groups of people are most at risk of mental ill health as a result of the pandemic, which includes young people, women, people with low incomes and healthcare professionals.
“All of our projects have been co-produced with service users, the public and staff and completed rapidly so that we can feedback the results quickly to inform decision-making, which has been one of the most impactful things about this programme.
“Clinical research normally takes three-five years to complete and 15 to 20 years before you see a change in service, but with this project the results have been incredibly quick and have led to fast changes which we hope will help people to understand and manage the impact of COVID-19.
“It’s a tribute to our staff and service users that everyone has been so keen to support and be involved in the work.”