Huge drop in referrals to Fife mental health services during lockdown

The number of referrals to mental health services in Fife more than halved in the first full month of coronavirus lockdown.

Data obtained by Kingdom FM News shows that referrals for general psychiatry treatment went from 474 in March to 229 in April.

The figure had been 641 and 660 in January and February respectively.

The number stayed relatively low in May (339) and June (428).

It had only previously dipped below 500 at one point in the last three years.

Meanwhile referrals for forensic psychiatry and psychiatry of older adults also dipped during lockdown, according to statistics given to us by NHS Fife through freedom of information legislation.

The same trend was seen in child and adolescent mental health services, with referrals going from 303 in February and 236 in March, to just 47 in April and 91 in May.

It comes amid growing concerns about the impact of the pandemic on people's mental health.

Fife Health and Social Care Partnership interim divisional manager Jim Crichton said: "In common with the majority of health services providing non-emergency care, we have seen a reduction in the normal pattern of referrals since April this year. 

"The reasons for this are due to many factors but ultimately related to the COVID pandemic and the lockdown that resulted. 

"We are currently in the process of remobilising our services and anticipate increased referrals to mental health services in particular. 

"We are looking at innovative approaches to providing support including remote consultations while maintaining the safe delivery of services during this recovery phase."

Charity Love Learning Scotland is part of the Scottish Children's Services Coalition.

The coalition wants improvements to mental health services for kids.

CEO of the charity Lynn Bell is concerned about the drop in referrals for children during lockdown: