Coronavirus: Peterborough trust launches Covid-19 study for Mental Health Awareness Week

CPFT is collaborating with Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust on the global project investigating the psychological impact of coronavirus and how different people are coping.

Anyone over 16 can take the survey online asking how the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions are affecting their mental health and wellbeing.

Clinical research nurse Heidi Rice is running the study for the trust.

Heidi said: “People will react differently to coronavirus and the lockdown and this research is exploring how our emotions, behaviour and wellbeing are affected. We hope to find out what is helpful for people during this time and what may be causing some people more wellbeing problems than others.

“Everyone is invited to take a short survey to share how they are dealing with changes over several months and help shape how the NHS responds to any future crisis.”

The survey is available at: https://southernhealthnhs.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6h8XB1eTTWvkspn and participants are asked to help the researchers by saying they heard about it from CPFT. You do not have to answer all the questions and you can leave the survey at any time.

Leading the global study, Prof Shanaya Rathod, consultant psychiatrist and director of research at Southern Health, said: “The global impact of Covid-19 will be felt by us for a long time. Our study aims to investigate the psychological impact of Covid-19 on general population, healthcare workers, patients with Covid and individuals with vulnerabilities.”

The study is linked to the Medical Research Council global health research programme.

Mirroring the truly global scale of the pandemic, the study is also being shared by partners across the world, including Canada, India, Greece, Singapore and Holland, among others. The study aims to not only look at how the virus has impacted on our own mental health across the UK but then compare it to others from different countries.

Professor Rathod added: “The global platform and use of validated questionnaires allows the study to assess the wider impact of culture, political landscapes and impact of different responses in different countries. As a result we will be able to understand and strengthen our ongoing responses and those for any future crisis.”

With more than 55 sites across the UK and dozens across the globe getting involved, it is hoped the study will provide researchers and the NHS with a much wider view of how the pandemic has affected people. This data can then be used to adapt and improve responses to future crises, allowing a more personalised approach to psychological support. For further information and any questions contact the Windsor Research Unit team on 01223 219531 or email [email protected].