Changes in mental health and well-being

Between May and July 2020, consistently over 1 in 3 CEV people reported that their well-being and mental health had gotten worse since being asked to shield. In the first two months of 2021, a similar proportion of CEV people were still reporting worsening mental health. It’s also important to highlight that, throughout, a majority reported no difference in their well-being and mental health.

COVID High Risk Group Insights Survey (2021)

level date question pct_clean
Much better 2021-02-27 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 3
Slightly better 2021-02-27 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 12
No difference 2021-02-27 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 66
Slightly worse 2021-02-27 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 16
Much worse 2021-02-27 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 4
Much better 2021-01-30 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 2
Slightly better 2021-01-30 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 5
No difference 2021-01-30 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 63
Slightly worse 2021-01-30 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 25
Much worse 2021-01-30 Compared to last month, how is your well-being and mental health now?3 5

Shielding Behavioural Survey (2020)

level Percentage date question pct_clean
It’s better 4 2020-07-16 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 4
No difference 59 2020-07-16 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 59
Slightly worse 30 2020-07-16 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 30
Much worse 7 2020-07-16 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 7
It’s better 4 2020-06-30 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 4
No difference 61 2020-06-30 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 61
Slightly worse 29 2020-06-30 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 29
Much worse 7 2020-06-30 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 7
It’s better 3 2020-06-18 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 3
No difference 60 2020-06-18 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 60
Slightly worse 29 2020-06-18 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 29
Much worse 7 2020-06-18 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 7
It’s better 4 2020-06-03 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 4
No difference 61 2020-06-03 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 61
Slightly worse 29 2020-06-03 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 29
Much worse 6 2020-06-03 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 6
It’s better 3 2020-05-19 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 3
No difference 61 2020-05-19 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 61
Slightly worse 30 2020-05-19 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 30
Much worse 6 2020-05-19 How has your wellbeing and mental health been affected since you received shielding guidance? 6

Treatment for mental health

The latest data indicates that about 1 in 7 are currently receiving mental health treatment (most of whom have already received treatment in the past).

COVID High Risk Group Insights Survey (2021)

level Percentage date question pct_clean
I have never received treatment 73 2021-02-27 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 73
I have received treatment in the past, but do not receive treatment now 13 2021-02-27 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 13
I’m currently receiving treatment for the first time 2 2021-02-27 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 2
I’m currently receiving treatment and I have also received treatment in the past 12 2021-02-27 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 12
I have never received treatment 74 2021-01-30 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 74
I have received treatment in the past, but do not receive treatment now 14 2021-01-30 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 14
I’m currently receiving treatment for the first time 1 2021-01-30 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 1
I’m currently receiving treatment and I have also received treatment in the past 10 2021-01-30 Have you currently or in the past received treatment for mental health difficulties?3 10

Shielding Behavioural Survey (2020)

Percentage date question level pct_clean
73 2020-07-16 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have never received treatment for mental health problems 73
13 2020-07-16 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have received treatment for mental health problems in the past 13
11 2020-07-16 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I’m currently receiving treatment for mental health problems 11
72 2020-06-30 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have never received treatment for mental health problems 72
14 2020-06-30 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have received treatment for mental health problems in the past 14
10 2020-06-30 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I’m currently receiving treatment for mental health problems 10
73 2020-06-18 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have never received treatment for mental health problems 73
15 2020-06-18 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have received treatment for mental health problems in the past 15
10 2020-06-18 Are you currently receiving or have you in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I’m currently receiving treatment for mental health problems 10
71 2020-06-03 Mental health difficulties are very common. It will help us understand our survey results if you would tell us whether you currently or have in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have never received treatment for mental health problems 71
15 2020-06-03 Mental health difficulties are very common. It will help us understand our survey results if you would tell us whether you currently or have in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have received treatment for mental health problems in the past 15
10 2020-06-03 Mental health difficulties are very common. It will help us understand our survey results if you would tell us whether you currently or have in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I’m currently receiving treatment for mental health problems 10
68 2020-05-19 Mental health difficulties are very common. It will help us understand our survey results if you would tell us whether you currently or have in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have never received treatment for mental health problems 68
16 2020-05-19 Mental health difficulties are very common. It will help us understand our survey results if you would tell us whether you currently or have in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I have received treatment for mental health problems in the past 16
10 2020-05-19 Mental health difficulties are very common. It will help us understand our survey results if you would tell us whether you currently or have in the past received treatment (medication or talking therapies) for mental health difficulties? I’m currently receiving treatment for mental health problems 10

Life satisfaction

Life satisfaction has remained stable among CEV people in both surveys. There is a drop between the 2020 and 2021 surveys, although this may reflect differences in the survey design or composition of the cohort. Older adults tend to have relatively high levels of life satisfaction compared to other age groups.

COVID High Risk Group Insights Survey (2021)

level Mean LCL UCL date question
Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?6 6.4 6.2 6.5 2021-02-27 Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?6
Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?6 6.2 6.1 6.3 2021-01-30 Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?6

Shielding Behavioural Survey (2020)

level Mean date question
Mean life satisfaction score 7.1 2020-07-16 On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not at all satisfied and 10 is completely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?
Mean life satisfaction score 7.2 2020-06-30 On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not at all satisfied and 10 is completely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?
Mean life satisfaction score 7.1 2020-06-18 On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not at all satisfied and 10 is completely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?
Mean life satisfaction score 7.2 2020-06-03 On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not at all satisfied and 10 is completely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?
Mean life satisfaction score 7.0 2020-05-19 On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not at all satisfied and 10 is completely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?

Access to GP/hospital care

For the majority of CEV people, the amount of GP/hospital care has continued “as normal” in early 2021 and also between May-July 2020 (the biggest disruptions would have occurred at the beginning of the March 2020 lockdown and during the November-December 2020 lockdowns). In May-July 2020, about 30% of CEV people were reporting problems with access to care since being asked to shield. However, comparing results between both surveys is difficult because of the shifting reference points.

COVID High Risk Group Insights Survey (2021)

level date question pct_clean
Increased 2021-02-27 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 6
Continued as normal 2021-02-27 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 78
Decreased 2021-02-27 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 13
Stopped 2021-02-27 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 2
Increased 2021-01-30 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 6
Continued as normal 2021-01-30 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 73
Decreased 2021-01-30 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 15
Stopped 2021-01-30 How has the amount of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition(s) been affected since last month? Has your care … 5

Shielding Behavioural Survey (2020)

level date question pct_clean
My care has increased 2020-07-16 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 4
My care has continued as normal 2020-07-16 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 66
I’m no longer accessing some aspects of my care, e.g. tests, scans 2020-07-16 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 21
I’m not accessing any care 2020-07-16 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 10
My care has increased 2020-06-30 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 3
My care has continued as normal 2020-06-30 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 68
I’m no longer accessing some aspects of my care, e.g. tests, scans 2020-06-30 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 18
I’m not accessing any care 2020-06-30 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 11
My care has increased 2020-06-18 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 3
My care has continued as normal 2020-06-18 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 67
I’m no longer accessing some aspects of my care, e.g. tests, scans 2020-06-18 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 19
I’m not accessing any care 2020-06-18 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 10
My care has increased 2020-06-03 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 2
My care has continued as normal 2020-06-03 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 67
I’m no longer accessing some aspects of my care, e.g. tests, scans 2020-06-03 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 20
I’m not accessing any care 2020-06-03 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 10
My care has increased 2020-05-19 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 3
My care has continued as normal 2020-05-19 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 64
I’m no longer accessing some aspects of my care, e.g. tests, scans 2020-05-19 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 20
I’m not accessing any care 2020-05-19 Are you receiving the same level of GP or hospital care for your underlying health condition since you received shielding guidance? 13

Change in underlying condition

During May-July 2020, most CEV people reported that their condition was about the same since being asked to shield. For about 1 in 5, however, it was getting worse. Between December 2020 and January 2021, most CEV people’s underlying conditions didn’t change.

COVID High Risk Group Insights Survey (2021)

level date question pct_clean
Yes 2021-01-30 Has your underlying health condition(s) been affected since early December 2020?3 29
No 2021-01-30 Has your underlying health condition(s) been affected since early December 2020?3 71
level date question pct_clean
Much better now 2021-01-30 Compared to early December 2020, how is your underlying health condition or conditions now? Would you say it is … 3 3
Slightly better now 2021-01-30 Compared to early December 2020, how is your underlying health condition or conditions now? Would you say it is … 3 13
Slightly worse now 2021-01-30 Compared to early December 2020, how is your underlying health condition or conditions now? Would you say it is … 3 54
Much worse now 2021-01-30 Compared to early December 2020, how is your underlying health condition or conditions now? Would you say it is … 3 22

Shielding Behavioural Survey (2020)

level date question pct_clean
Condition is better 2020-07-16 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 3
Condition is slightly better 2020-07-16 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 6
Condition is about the same 2020-07-16 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 69
Condition is slightly worse 2020-07-16 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 18
Condition is much worse 2020-07-16 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 5
Condition is better 2020-06-30 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 2
Condition is slightly better 2020-06-30 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 5
Condition is about the same 2020-06-30 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 74
Condition is slightly worse 2020-06-30 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 16
Condition is much worse 2020-06-30 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 3
Condition is better 2020-06-18 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 2
Condition is slightly better 2020-06-18 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 5
Condition is about the same 2020-06-18 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 73
Condition is slightly worse 2020-06-18 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 17
Condition is much worse 2020-06-18 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 4
Condition is better 2020-06-03 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 2
Condition is slightly better 2020-06-03 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 5
Condition is about the same 2020-06-03 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 73
Condition is slightly worse 2020-06-03 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 16
Condition is much worse 2020-06-03 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 4
Condition is better 2020-05-19 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 2
Condition is slightly better 2020-05-19 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 5
Condition is about the same 2020-05-19 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 73
Condition is slightly worse 2020-05-19 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 16
Condition is much worse 2020-05-19 How has your underlying health condition been affected since you received shielding guidance? 4

Employment status

Over half of CEV people are retired, reflecting their age composition.

COVID High Risk Group Insights Survey (2021)

level date question pct_clean
Full-time paid job (31+ hours) 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 13
Part-time paid job (1-30 hours) 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 5
Furlough 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 6
Self-employed 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 4
Receiving statutory sick pay 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 1
Receiving company sick pay 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 1
Student or on government training programme 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 1
Retired 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 55
Unpaid work for a business, community or voluntary 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … NA
Unpaid leave from work 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … NA
Looking after home and family or homemaker 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 2
Out of work 2021-02-27 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 12
Full-time paid job (31+ hours) 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 13
Part-time paid job (1-30 hours) 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 5
Furlough 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 6
Self-employed 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 3
Receiving statutory sick pay 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 1
Student or on government training programme 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 1
Retired 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 53
Disabled or long-term sick 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 13
Unpaid work for a business, community or voluntary 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … NA
Looking after home and family or homemaker 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 2
Out of work 2021-01-30 What best describes your current work situation? Are you in … 3

Shielding Behavioural Survey (2020)

level date question pct_clean
Yes 2020-07-16 Do you normally work? 28
No 2020-07-16 Do you normally work? 72
Yes 2020-06-30 Do you normally work? 27
No 2020-06-30 Do you normally work? 73
Yes 2020-06-18 Do you normally work? 27
No 2020-06-18 Do you normally work? 73
Yes 2020-06-03 Do you normally work? 28
No 2020-06-03 Do you normally work? 72
Yes 2020-05-19 Do you normally work? 29
No 2020-05-19 Do you normally work? 71