Psychosis Cases Rise in England as Pandemic Hits Mental Health

The UK’s National health Service (NHS) reported that there was a 29% increase in the number of people referred to mental health services for their first suspected episode of psychosis, including people who experienced hallucinations and delusional thinking, amid the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic between April 2019 and April 2021. An estimated 9,460 people were referred in May 2021, up 26% from 7,520 in May 2019. Around the world, anxiety and depression increased dramatically in 2020 due to Covid, with an estimated 76-million extra cases of anxiety and 53-million extra cases of major depressive disorder.

Cases of psychosis have risen over the past two years in England as an increasing number of people experience hallucinations and delusional thinking amid the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There was a 29% increase in the number of people referred to mental health services for their first suspected episode of psychosis between April 2019 and April 2021, NHS data shows.

The rise continued throughout the spring, with 9,460 referred in May 2021, up 26% from 7,520 in May 2019.

The charity Rethink Mental Illness is urging the government to invest more in early intervention for psychosis to prevent further deterioration in people’s mental health from which it could take them years to recover.

It says the statistics provide some of the first concrete evidence to indicate the significant levels of distress experienced across the population during the pandemic.

A study earlier this month found that anxiety and depression around the world increased dramatically in 2020, with an estimated 76m extra cases of anxiety and 53m extra cases of major depressive disorder than would have been expected had Covid not struck. Women and young people were disproportionately affected, the researchers said.

Psychosis can involve seeing or hearing things that other people do not (hallucinations) and developing beliefs that are not based on reality (delusions), which can be highly distressing. It can be a symptom of mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression, but psychosis can also be a one-off, potentially triggered by a traumatic experience, extreme stress or drug and alcohol misuse.

Despite the continued pressure on mental health services, Rethink Mental Illness is highlighting the importance of rapid access to treatment to prevent further episodes of psychosis and reduce people’s risk of developing severe mental illness.

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NY Bill Would Require People To Prove Sanity Before Buying Guns

New York State Senator James Sanders proposed a new law requiring anyone seeking to purchase a firearm to complete a mental health evaluation first. Mental health professionals approved by the New York State Office of Mental Health would perform the evaluations. Failure to abide by the proposed law would result in a felony charge of criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

New York State Senator James Sanders’ proposed law changes would apply to all firearms exchanges in the state.

Albany, NY – New York lawmakers are considering a bill that would require anyone seeking to purchase a firearm to complete a mental health evaluation first.

SB 7065, which was introduced by State Senator James Sanders, a Democrat, would require prospective gun buyers to prove their mental fitness prior to a background check being conducted.

Such “proof” would need to be presented “before any sale, exchange, or disposal of a firearm, rifle or shotgun at a gun show, by a federally licensed dealer or private sale, including when such sale, exchange or disposal is between immediate family members,” according to the bill.

Purchasers would be required to “provide the seller with proof of his or her approval to purchase” such weapons after submitting to an evaluation through a process that would be established by the New York State Office of Mental Health.

The Commissioner of Mental Health would be tasked with establishing regulations “relating to mental health professionals approved to perform the evaluation, the process for evaluation, and the development of a standardized form to be used by mental health professionals” performing the evaluations, according to the bill.

Failure to abide by the proposed law would result in a felony charge of criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

“The many recent tragic events have clearly demonstrated the need to prevent those with mental health problems from obtaining guns,” the proposed law change read. “This bill will help to protect our citizens and prevent the death of innocent people.”

If signed into law, the regulations would go into effect 180 days later.

Sanders has repeatedly blamed President Donald Trump for mass shootings that have taken place across the country, alleging that he has caused “hate” to fester due in part to his stand against illegal immigration.

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