Mental health in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional analyses from a community cohort study

This paper aims to provide evidence from a large community cohort (3097 adults aged 18 and older) on the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the mental health status of people in the UK. Anxiety, depression, and stress levels were assessed via an online survey, while cortisol levels were measured by analysing hair samples provided by the participants. Modifiable and non-modifiable variables were also analysed, and these included age, gender, ethnicity, key worker status, living alone, positive mood, worry about contracting COVID-19 and perceived loneliness and risk of COVID-19. Early evidence from this paper shows that women, young people and individuals in recognised Covid-19 risk groups may be at particular risk for mental health difficulties.