People ‘must be weaned off worrying about the virus'

BRITONS experienced some of the highest levels of psychological distress during the pandemic and now must be helped to give up “coping mechanisms” adopted over fears of catching Covid, a leading researcher has said.

- Lucy Johnston and Tony Whitfield

Professor Marcantonio Spada, a professor of mental health and addictive behaviours at London South Bank University, has co-authored a study which shows nearly half of the UK population developed “moderate to severe” anxiety and depression during the pandemic.

Prof Spada said the message of fear pumped out, with the constant relaying of daily death figures and intermittent mixed messages of the threat posed, is likely to have contributed to the UK having the highest level of psychological distress of six leading nations.

And he said these coping mechanisms – which include those mandated by law, such as wearing masks or staying home – have now become entrenched among many Britons, who need to be weaned off them.