Close
Mental health and managing isolation during the听coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Research Study
Exploring the lived experiences of loneliness and isolation with people with mental health problems during the COVID 19 pandemic in the UK
The aim of this research study was to find out about the experiences of feeling lonely or isolated and how they may relate to experiences of mental health problems during the COVID pandemic and more generally.
Lived experience researchers conducted telephone and online interviews with people with lived experience of mental illness to help us understand more about mental health and loneliness and how it relates to COVID 19 pandemic.
It will also help us to do further research looking at how to measure these things, or to develop ways of supporting people鈥檚 mental health and reducing loneliness and isolation particularly during pandemics.听
The study was organised by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Policy Research Unit, within the Division of Psychiatry at University College London, and the Loneliness and Social Isolation in Mental Health Network, within the Division of Psychiatry at University College London.
UCL Research Ethics Committee have approved this study: Project ID number: 15249/001
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this study.
about this research.
Read the听first paper published from this research ''.
Read the follow-up paper ''.
Read the pre-print of .
Conversations around loneliness and mental health: What helps and what to do if it doesn't
As part of the interviews, we asked people what (if anything) had helped them feel less lonely and we have co-produced听a booklet to share their words with you.
Online resources
- NHS Every Mind Matters:听
- Anxiety UK:听
- .
- Video from the Academy of Medical Sciences on loneliness in researchers
- NHS site:
- Mental Health Foundation:
- Red Cross:
- Local Government Association:
- What Works Center for Wellbeing:
- Office of National Statistics:听
- Independent Age:
- NHS Confederation:
