The government’s neglect of pandemic mental health support is about to lead to a huge crisis

Editorial: One charity in particular predicts that almost one in five in England will need mental health support as a direct result of coronavirus and lockdown restrictions

The Centre for Mental Health predicts that up to 10 million people in England, almost one in five of the population, will need mental health support as a direct result of the pandemic (Getty)

If the rhetoric from ministers about prioritising mental health were matched by anything resembling reality, the UK would not have too much to worry about on this vital issue. Sadly, normal service has continued during the coronavirus pandemic: despite promises by successive governments for mental health to enjoy parity with physical health, it is again the very poor relation.

At the start of the crisis, our politicians were understandably anxious to avoid a repeat of the gruesome television pictures showing Italy’s overwhelmed hospitals. Putting hospitals first had a terrible impact on care homes, after up to 25,000 hospital patients were discharged to them without being tested for the virus.