Warnings of post-pandemic rise in mental health conditions such as PTSD and OCD as experts call for long-term funding for support

Mental health experts say conditions such as PTSD, OCD and substance addictions will likely rise in the aftermath of the crisis, particularly among frontline health workers, those who have been shielding and people with pre-existing psychological disorders.

It comes as research from Nuffield Health revealed that young people, BAME and LGBT communities, people working in health and education sectors and working parents will be adversely affected.

One in four adults in Yorkshire & the Humber surveyed by YouGov in a recent study admitted to currently experiencing poor mental health, while almost half (48 per cent) said theirs had deteriorated since restrictions were announced in March 2020.

Geoff Heyes, Head of Health Policy and Influencing at the charity Mind, said many people were feeling deterred from accessing treatment now as they felt their problem "wasn't serious enough".

He said: "Left untreated, mental health problems can worsen, resulting in people needing more expensive and intensive treatment, placing even greater pressure on the NHS."

Lorraine McReight, a Calderdale-based counsellor and hypnotherapist who works with patients suffering from PTSD and anxiety-related illnesses, said the country was going to see a "mental health crisis across the borders" if action was not taken to fund support now.

She said: "Lots of health workers and carers will already be experiencing trauma right now, but will somehow be coping with it. But when we come out the other end they will have a lot of psychological issues to deal with. There has been some degree of this already."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We are doing our utmost to ensure that our mental health services are there for everyone who needs them during the pandemic and beyond – for patients, the public and our NHS and social care colleagues. This includes the Every Mind Matters campaign and website which offers tools and advice to help people to look after their mental health.

“We have also announced that the NHS will receive around an additional £500 million over the next year to help address waiting times for mental health services, give more people the mental health support they need, and invest in the NHS workforce.”