Primary Care Networks should play a key role in helping people recover their mental health, harmed by isolation and financial anxiety, according to one expert. The number of people with depression in England and Wales doubled during the pandemic lockdown – with the problem affecting one in five people, according to new figures. One in eight people developed symptoms for the first time – while a small number of suffers – 3.5% of the population – experienced improvements.

The Office for National Statistics analysis linked toe problem to young adults, often women and disabled or facing shortfalls in money. Before the lockdown about 9.7% of people reported suffering from depression. By June, this proportion reached 19.2%.

Statistician Tim Vizard said: “Revisiting this same group of adults before and during the pandemic provides a unique insight into how their symptoms of depression have changed over time. Almost one in five adults were experiencing some form of depression during the pandemic, almost doubling from around one in ten before the pandemic. Adults who were young, female, unable to afford an unexpected expense or disabled were the most likely to experience some form of depression during the pandemic.”

Sean Duggan, chief executive of the Mental Health Network, said: “These figures show that the pandemic has already taken an incredible toll on the mental wellbeing of the British public, and that swift action is needed. Our members are already preparing to meet increased demand for services as a result of the pandemic, and studies like this help to quantify how much additional demand there will be. The role of primary care in supporting people with depression and anxiety will become increasingly important in the coming months. Primary Care Networks and the new community mental health framework present an opportunity to improve the relationship between GPs and mental health services, and provide more seamless, integrated mental health care.”