Some of the major topics that I discuss with Dr Laurence Baldwin in the show include:
- The pandemic has threatened so many aspects of our lives and undermined what many would see as being the key aspects of our psychological well-being: the need to feel safe; the need for social, emotional and physical comfort; the need to be close to others; and the need for things to make sense, be predictable and be familiar. How well have we coped with these aspects of mental health over the last couple of years with what we hope will be a once-in-a-lifetime event?
- It has been hard enough for adults, but especially so for children and young people whose education has been severely disrupted. How well have we safeguarded the futures of our children and young people. Have we set a good example for them in the way we, as adults, have coped? Have we kept them safe? Have platforms like the TV and social media helped? Have we succeeded of failed in supporting them?
- Many of us have had to turn to the private sector for counselling and therapy of various kinds. Is there a healthy balance between the resources available via the NHS and private practice? I had personal experience of the NHS not being able to offer ongoing therapy during the pandemic. How well has the NHS has coped with mental health care provision during Covid?
- We all saw that the NHS was faced with a staffing crisis due to Covid, with nurses and doctors suffering severe exhaustion, depression and anxiety. What has the journey been like for them, and are enough coming through into the profession to deal with any delayed effects?
- Now that restrictions are being lifted – for the time being, at least – will the mental health of the nation return to ‘normal’, or have issues arisen that will require continuing treatment for months, even years to come?
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