UK survey reveals effects of lockdown on mental health

Around four in 10 young people who say coronavirus has affected their wellbeing believe the lockdown has made their mental health worse, according to new analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Some 42% of people aged 16-29 said their mental health had deteriorated, compared with 25% of those aged 30-59 and 15% of those people aged 60 and over.

The ONS figures cover the period 3 April to 10 May, and are based on responses to its regular opinions and lifestyle survey in Britain.

They also show that, of those who said coronavirus had affected their wellbeing, 51% of 16-29 year-olds felt lonely, compared with 27% of 30-59 year-olds and 26% of people aged 60 and over.