Greg Fell warns there is 'no doubt' Sheffield restrictions are damaging people's mental health

There is “no doubt” the coronavirus restrictions in Sheffield are negatively impacting people’s mental health, according to the city’s director of Public Health.
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Greg Fell said formal and informal support is available for anyone who needs it as the city prepares for a further tightening of the rules governing daily life from midnight on Friday.

He told The Star: “All of this will cause mental health issues, no doubt about that.

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"I hear a lot from from GPs and mental health professionals that they are beginning to see the impact it is beginning to have on mental health services. Most of us struggle on with low level mental health problems.”

Greg Fell, Sheffield's director of Public Health, pictured.Greg Fell, Sheffield's director of Public Health, pictured.
Greg Fell, Sheffield's director of Public Health, pictured.

A survey measuring the impact of the pandemic on people’s health and wellbeing in Sheffield, which was completed by 3,300 respondents, found increased social isolation has been “experienced to some extent by all” – but the greatest impact has been on “social [sic] disadvantaged groups, those living alone and those with poor physical and mental health”.

Socially isolated people also reported “increased use of food, alcohol, smoking and drugs”, while social exclusion was “exacerbated by digital exclusion” for some.

A Sheffield City Council Health and Wellbeing Board paper said: “Social isolation through Covid-19 and increased levels of stress and anxiety has led to the exacerbation of existing mental health conditions as well as leading to new problems arising.

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"The pandemic has for many been and remains a traumatic event and has increased children's exposure to adverse incidents and increased levels of domestic violence.”

It anticipated an increased demand for mental health support and concluded: “The need for improved access to mental health services and trauma informed care and support has never been greater.”

Mr Fell added: "We have got good but under-invested in services. That’s a national problem, we all say we want to invest more but we don’t.

“There’s still a lot of support out there, both formal mental health services, which are pretty good, and informal services.”

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Recommendations following the report’s findings on mental health have yet to be finalised.

Mr Fell recommended the mental health guide on the Sheffield Flourish website to anyone seeking help, information and support.

The Tier 3 restrictions will be “reviewed” in 28 days’ time, Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, confirmed.