Psychiatrists in Ireland have reported a significant increase in mental health referrals as the pandemic took hold in the second half of last year.
This is according to research from The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.
The College’s survey of 180 members, which was conducted in the second half of last year, found when comparing H1 2020 to H2 2020, 36% of those surveyed indicated an increase in the volume of referrals for secondary mental health services.
Three in 10 reported a significant increase in the volume of emergency interventions, while 28% reported a significant increase in the number of patients experiencing a relapse of mental health illness.
Commenting on the findings, Dr William Flannery, president of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and a consultant psychiatrist, said: “This survey covers the seven months up to the end of December 2020.
“It does not include the impact of the most recent lockdown which began in January so we can assume the figures it reveals have worsened in recent months. Even then, the figures we have for this survey starkly highlight the very serious impact which Covid had on the mental health of the community through 2020.
“The pandemic has added enormous strain on an already fragile mental health service and there is little appreciation at a policy level for how serious the situation now is on the ground”.
While Flannery says psychiatrists are working hard to address the growing needs of the community, he adds Covid has exacerbated a problem that has been “bubbling under the surface” for some time.
“We need to see increased funding and resources before it is too late for thousands of people under serious and, in many cases, life-threatening strain”.
