Over a third of people in Essex feeling 'lockdown loneliness'
Younger people have felt the effects more
At least a third of people say they've felt lonely across Essex across a week recently - and it's being put down to the lockdown.
Young people in our towns and cities have been hardest hit.
Mental health charities have called for people's mental health and wellbeing to be made a priority in the recovery from Covid-19.
The ONS said young people were more likely to suffer from this form of “lockdown loneliness”.
The ONS say In the five months since October 2020, anxiety rates have increased particularly in areas assessed as having better quality provision for children’s education and educational attainment prior to the pandemic.
This may relate to anxieties around home schooling, or worries about children falling behind educationally among adults in these areas.
It is also noted that the age group of parents overlaps with the 25 to 44 years age group, which also reported higher "lockdown loneliness".
Aspects of an area that are associated with lower rates of anxiety include better general health and more opportunities for cultural engagement. These findings applied particularly to urban areas outside London.
Razzak Mirjan from Beder Mental Health said:
"It can affect so many, it can affect single parents, older people.
"Something we are trying to communicate is that you are never alone, you aren't alone in what you are going through."
Beder have been running online classes and events to try and help with loneliness.
You can find their online toolkit here.
A lockdown eases as well, those who have been isolated may feel anxious about being surrounded by people once more.
Razzak added:
"It is really important that we all do whatever it is, as we come out of lockdown, at our own pace.
"If you are trying to do it for other people, that can be why you feel uncomfortable and that can increases these feelings of stress and worry."