Citation

Burn W, Mudholkar S. Indian J. Psychiatry 2020; 62(Suppl 3): S365-S372.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_937_20

PMID

33227076 PMCID

Abstract

In January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new corona virus disease, COVID-19 to be public health Emergency of International concern and by March 2020 it had progressed rapidly across several continents to be a pandemic. After COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic the U.K. Government placed strict measures in mid-March 2020 to limit spread by enforcing social distancing, travel restrictions and complete lockdown. In U.K. by end of April 2020 official estimates of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases reached 161,000 and the number of deaths has exceeded 26,000 in hospitals and in care homes. COVID-19 continues to have an impact on all aspects of life in U.K. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), London, a leading professional body of U.K. and global mental health professionals was prompt to act in this public health emergency. RCPsych has issued guidance for clinicians, patients & carers, organised a series of webinars to support members and undertook a membership survey. It has played a crucial role in influencing national policy decisions. This article will focus on mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic in U.K. and the initiatives taken by RCPsych.

Language: en

Keywords

mental health; depression; Anxiety; domestic violence; COVID-19; loneliness; social isolation; BAME; ethnic disparity