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This content mentions anxiety, which some people may find triggering.
Read our recent results from the Mental Health Foundation’s landmark Mental Health in the Pandemic study.
Scottish adults have slowly become less able to cope with the stress of the pandemic
Since the first lockdown in March 2020, Scottish adults, in general, have slowly become less able to cope with the stress of the pandemic
- The proportion of people reporting they were coping well has fallen slowly and steadily, from 76% in April 2020 to 63% in November
- Those with a pre-existing mental health condition were less likely than Scottish adults, in general, to be coping well (59%)
- Over a quarter of those with a long-term physical health condition (27%) are still reporting that they are not coping well with the stress of the pandemic
Anxiety and worry due to the pandemic continued to decline significantly
Although levels of anxiety amongst the population about the pandemic are stable, there has been a noticeable increase amongst people with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis and other more vulnerable groups than in the population as a whole:
- Anxiety and worry due to the pandemic continued to decline significantly, falling from 64% in March 2020 to 36% in June/July 2021. In November, 35% had felt anxious or worried in the last two weeks, the lowest percentage so far
- Amongst those with a long-term physical health condition, anxiety and worry have not declined as quickly, with 42% still feeling anxious in November 2021, compared to 35% of the general population
- Those with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis are also recording higher levels of anxiety and worry (51%)
In addition, 45% of the population are anxious about restrictions begin lifted.
This anxiety is at a higher level for those with a long-term physical condition (59% anxious) and those with a pre-existing mental health condition (60% anxious)
- Being in crowded places is the biggest reported source of anxiety (75%) for the public
- Commuting on public transport was the next most common source of anxiety (37%)
- People also reported feeling anxious about pressure to socialise more with friends/family (27%)
Over a third of people have anxiety about commuting (37%)
In the general Scottish population, although nearly one in five people (18%) were “happy and excited about being able to do things that we were unable to do due to lockdown”, over twice as many (38 %) were “worried about another wave coming in the next few months”.
- Over a third of people have anxiety about commuting (37%) and greater desire to stay at home (28%) than enthusiasm for returning to working with colleagues or studying with fellow students (15%)
- People also reported feeling anxious about pressure to socialise more with friends/family (27%)
- 11% of people felt that the current uncertainty had negatively affected their mental wellbeing - this rose to 19% of people with long-term health condition and 25% of people with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis
Government priorities as restrictions ease
When asked what could be done by the government to benefit and improve the nation’s mental health as restrictions ease and life starts to return to normal, providing a statutory living wage emerged as a key issue for which something should be done, with 55% of respondents stating that this was a priority. Support for victims of domestic abuse also emerged as a priority issue, with 55% saying that more support should be available. The Scottish public is also looking to the Government to set out a clear vision going forward (54%) and to tackle misinformation about COVID (50%).
Suicidal thoughts
Our study has also shown that suicidal thoughts have become more prevalent across the year and that they are increasingly common amongst our most vulnerable groups, despite the easing of restrictions:
- Across the Scottish population, 10% of adults surveyed in April 2020 said they had had thoughts and feelings about suicide during the previous two weeks. After reaching its highest level in June/July 2021 at 18%, the percentage of people experiencing suicidal thoughts decreased slightly in November to 16%
- The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and feelings has been consistently higher, across the pandemic, among some more vulnerable groups
- For those with pre-existing mental health conditions and long-term physical rates have been consistently higher than the general population throughout the pandemic with 39% of people with mental health conditions and 27% with physical health conditions having suicidal thoughts and feelings in November
If you feel affected by the content you have read, please see our get help page for support.
Please note:
The total sample size in March 2020 was 1015 Scottish adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17 to 18 March 2020. The total sample size in November 2021 was 2009 Scottish adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9 to 15 November. Each survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+).