This is the fourth Centre for Mental Health forecast of the mental health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in England.
After reviewing high quality evidence published during the six months since our previous forecast, we calculate that the equivalent of 8.5 million adults and 1.5 million children and young people will require mental health support as a direct impact of the pandemic during the next three to five years. The total increase in demand is around 10 million people.
Key groups of people who face an especially high risk of poor mental health include people who have survived severe Covid-19 illness (especially those treated in intensive care), those working in health and care services during the pandemic, people economically impacted by the pandemic and those who have been bereaved.
