Dramatic rise in demand for mental health support during Covid-19 sees Independent Living West Country increase staff numbers by 51%

Demand for support for individuals suffering with acute mental health conditions during the coronavirus pandemic has led Exeter-based mental health support service, Independent Living West Country, to increase staff levels by 51% since April.

Set up following the withdrawal of MIND in the region in 2018, the business has seen demand for support and its services rise by 18%, driven by a dramatic rise in the number of clients being referred to it by Devon County Council, which has responsibility for the care of some of the county’s most vulnerable individuals once they leave the direct support of the NHS.

Much of the early demand was been driven by NHS patient discharges, undertaken to make room for those affected by Covid-19 during April. However, an increasing number of individuals are coming to light that are in need of support due to anxiety and isolation linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s quite clear that fears and worries are triggering mental health vulnerability among those that have struggled with their mental wellbeing in the past, or have conditions such as acute anxiety, ADHD or schizophrenia,” says Marie Tolly, Founder and Director of Independent Living West Country. “In such trying times, mental health conditions become more extreme and can lead to a collapse in an individual’s ability to cope with even the most basic of tasks, which is where we step in.

“From April through to August, we have seen a sustained uplift in the level of support required by clients experiencing mental health conditions triggered or intensified by Covid-19.

“Without doubt, this is a trend that we expect to continue, particularly where individuals are at high-risk of contracting Covid-19 due to medical conditions, or are isolated from friends and family who cannot provide the level of support that they desperately need.”

Independent Living West Country supports clients struggling with mental health, helping them to cope with daily life and the transition from formal support within the NHS, to living life in the community.

Working closely with Devon County Council for those on benefits, and directly with private clients in need of tailored support, Independent Living West Country provides essential support, placing the wellbeing of the individual first, bringing normality to disrupted lives, providing help, understanding, guidance and friendship to those struggling with their mental health.

Alongside shop and drop services, regular wellbeing checks and socially distanced accompanied exercise, Independent Living West Country has reintroduced socially distanced home visits and in-home support to assist those needing and requesting this level of help.

If you, a friend, patient or family member is struggling with acute mental health conditions in lockdown, requiring in-home support to cope with the challenges of daily life, please call Independent Living West Country on 01392 467007 for details of how we can help.