Covid, Brexit and Liz Truss mini-budget led to lasting decline in mental health, study finds

What happened: A UCL-led study in BMJ Mental Health found five systemic shocks since 2016 caused lasting rises in UK psychological distress, with Brexit and the first Covid lockdown causing the most damage. Key numbers: UK Household Longitudinal Study of 87,857 people, 2009 to 2024. Why it matters: Researchers say government decisions and global events can substantially affect mental health, and distress has persisted rather than returning to pre-2016 levels. Mind says NHS services are struggling as more people seek support.

A UCL-led study in BMJ Mental Health found five systemic shocks since 2016 caused lasting rises in UK psychological distress, with Brexit and the first Covid lockdown causing the most damage.

Researchers say government decisions and global events can substantially affect mental health, and distress has persisted rather than returning to pre-2016 levels. Mind says NHS services are struggling as more people seek support.