Optimising Wellbeing in Self-Isolation, 2020-2021

This data was collected to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic restrictions on people with severe mental ill health. Two sets of data have been collected, the first between July 2020 and December 2020 and the second between January 2021 and March 2021. Participants were asked about their use of and ability to access health services during the pandemic, their physical and mental health, loneliness and social isolation, digital connectivity, health related behaviours (e.g, smoking , physical activity etc) and employment. People with severe mental ill health experience a mortality gap of between 15 and 20 years compared to the general population and it is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to worse inequalities for vulnerable groups, people with severe mental ill health are one such group. The aim of this project therefore was to explore and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic restrictions on people with severe mental ill health, in terms of access to health services, their physical and mental health, health risk behaviours, loneliness and social isolation and digital connectivity. Participants completed questions in the the following domains, health and wellbeing, service use, everyday habits, social support, use of internet and digital services and employment. Participants were sampled with a range of demographics and contacted by telephone and invited to take part in the study. Participants were offered the option of completing the survey over the phone with a researcher, online or hard copy which they completed and returned in the post. Participants who consented to take part in future surveys we recontacted and invited to take part in the second survey.

This study explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic restrictions on people with severe mental ill health. People with severe mental ill health experience a mortality gap of between 15 and 20 years compared to the general population and it is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to worse inequalities for vulnerable groups, people with severe mental ill health are one such group. The aim of this project therefore was to explore and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic restrictions on people with severe mental ill health, in terms of access to health services, their physical and mental health, health risk behaviours, loneliness and social isolation and digital connectivity.

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