Research Reveals Mental Health Impact Of Lockdown

New research conducted among over 3,000 Superdrug customers reveals that 65% of people are concerned about the further impact on their mental health as social distancing measures and lockdown are eased.

The results highlight that:

  • 80% of people believe that social distancing and lockdown has negatively impacted mental health in the UK
  • 22% have spent so much time in one place that they’re anxious to go into more crowded environments
  • 21% feel insecure about being sociable again after spending the lockdown being less social
  • 43% are nervous about lockdown being eased because they’re unsure they’ll be safely protected from coronavirus
  • 12% are worried to leave the safety of their home

In response to these findings, from today Superdrug is partnering with My Online Therapy, the UK’s leading online therapy platform. The partnership will increase awareness and accessibility of mental health services to support the UK through the coronavirus pandemic.

Michael Henry, Healthcare Director, at Superdrug comments, “More than six out of 10 of our customers are telling us that their mental health has been negatively impacted by social distancing and lockdown measures. In addition, 84% of our customers have told us they want more accessible mental health services.  We’ve listened to what they need and to support them we’re launching a partnership with My Online Therapy to ensure a highly credible and qualified mental health service is readily available.

This service is now prominently displayed on Superdrug.com making it easy for people to find out more and look into what therapies might be most helpful to them at this time.” The new partnership is the first of a number of initiatives being launched by Superdrug in 2020 to support people’s overall mental and emotional health. Further services will be announced later in the year.

Superdrug Ambassador Dr Zoe Williams adds “Looking after our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health, and it deserves as much attention. Many of us can benefit from support psychologically either to deal with mental health concerns or even for maintaining good mental health when all is well.”

My Online Therapy Ambassador Professor Green comments “Superdrug partnering with My Online Therapy provides a direct route to a service many people need but don’t know where to start. Therapy is a staple of my week wherever I am in the world. My Online Therapy provides people with that support by the many different channels of use available, offering even those too nervous for a face to face the chance to start taking better care of themselves and to build their confidence.”

About My Online Therapy

My Online Therapy is one of the UK’s first virtual psychology clinics. It is an online mental health service that provides easy access to the latest contemporary range of evidence-based psychological therapies by connecting people with HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council) registered psychologists via video, live chat or daily coaching. It offers a bespoke service that is tailored to each individual and their needs. After completing a free online assessment, the platform matches users to the most appropriate therapeutic approach and the best psychologist for your situation.

Elettra Bianchi Dennerlein, co-founder and co-CEO and of My Online Therapy added: “With such emotionally challenging and uncertain times impacting so many people’s lives, this partnership aims to build on our organisations’ complementary strengths to revolutionise the mental health space for those who have previously been restricted by salient barriers, such as cost, access and stigma. It promises a new way of delivering therapy that places patients at the centre of their own care journeys, enabling them to get the care they need from highly qualified psychologists, wherever they are at a time that is convenient for them.”

The platform removes any geographical restrictions, allowing people to access psychologists from the comfort of their own home at a time that is convenient for them, enabling clients to fit therapy sessions around work, home and family life.