Anxiety & depression levels fall as lockdown eased

Levels of anxiety and depression in the UK have both fallen in the past week but remain above the usual reported averages, according to UCL's Covid-19 social study of over 90,000 adults during the coronavirus epidemic. The ongoing study, which was launched in the week before lockdown, is funded by the Nuffield Foundation with additional support from Wellcome and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is the UK's largest study into how adults are feeling about the lockdown, government advice and overall wellbeing and mental health. The study shows that depression levels have decreased particularly amongst those under 60, but depression and anxiety are still highest in young people, those living alone, those with lower household income, people with a diagnosed mental illness, people living with children, and people living in urban areas. The figures also show that life satisfaction, measured on a scale from 0 (not at all satisfied with life) to 10 (completely satisfied with life) has risen from under 5.5 when lockdown was first announced to over 6, but is still lower than usually-reported averages. Lead author, Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) said: "It is encouraging that levels of anxiety and depression have both fallen as lockdown has eased. However, the levels being reported by participants are still worse than usual reported averages.