Mental Health Post-Pandemic
- , by SANUSq Research team
- 9 min reading time
The pandemic changed many things, but one of its quietest and most lasting effects has been on our mental health. Acknowledging that — and knowing where to turn — matters more than ever.
A shared, difficult experience
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a sharp rise in mental health difficulties — anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness and disrupted sleep among them. Lockdowns, isolation, uncertainty, grief, financial worry and the sheer disruption of normal life took a genuine toll, and for many people the effects have lingered well beyond the acute phase of the pandemic. If you've felt more anxious, low or worn down in recent years, it's important to know two things: you are far from alone, and what you're feeling is a very human response to genuinely hard circumstances. One positive legacy of those years is greater mental health awareness: it is easier now to say out loud that you are struggling, and more likely that you will be met with understanding rather than judgement. This piece looks honestly at the mental health impact of the pandemic, the reasons for hope, and the supportive steps — including when to reach out for professional help — that can make a real difference.
Understanding the post-pandemic mental health picture
The scale of the pandemic's effect on mental health was significant, and naming it plainly can itself be reassuring — it confirms that these struggles are real and widely shared, not a personal failing.
The World Health Organization reported that in the first year of the pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by around 25%, with young people and women among the most affected, driven by stressors such as social isolation, loneliness, fear, grief and financial hardship (WHO mental health brief).
Reasons for genuine hope
Alongside the honest acknowledgement of difficulty, there is real reason for optimism — and it's important not to lose sight of it. Humans are remarkably resilient, and after major stressful events, most people do recover.
A population-based longitudinal study found that, among the general population, the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms did not remain elevated over time and normal recovery occurred — though loneliness increased, underscoring how central human connection is to wellbeing (mental health recovery study).
This is a genuinely hopeful finding. It tells us that distress in response to hard times is often a natural, temporary reaction rather than a permanent state, and that recovery is the norm. It also highlights something powerfully practical: connection matters enormously. The rise in loneliness points to where support is most needed — and to one of the most effective things any of us can do for our mental health, which is to nurture our relationships and reach out to others. Recovery isn't always quick or linear, and some people will need more support than others, but the overall message is one of hope: things can and do get better.
It's worth understanding why resilience is the norm rather than the exception, because it can be genuinely comforting to know. Our minds and bodies are built to respond to stress and then, when the threat passes, to return towards balance — a natural process of adaptation. In the midst of a difficult period, it can feel as though the heaviness will never lift, but this feeling is itself part of the stress response, not a reliable prediction of the future. Studies of people who have lived through all kinds of adversity — disasters, loss, upheaval — consistently show that while distress in the aftermath is common and normal, most people gradually find their footing again, often with the help of time, routine, and the support of others. This doesn't minimise how real or painful the struggle is, nor does it mean everyone recovers at the same pace or without help. Rather, it offers a grounded reason for hope: if you're finding things hard right now, that difficulty is not necessarily permanent, and the path back towards feeling like yourself is one that most people do travel — especially when they don't have to walk it alone.
Supporting your mental wellbeing
There's a lot you can do to support your mental health day to day, and these steps genuinely help. Prioritise connection — time with friends, family and community is one of the strongest protectors of mental wellbeing. Look after the basics that powerfully influence mood: regular physical activity (a wonderful natural mood-lifter), good sleep, a nourishing diet, and time outdoors in daylight and nature. Build in ways to manage stress, whether that's mindfulness, breathing exercises, hobbies or simply rest. Limit the things that erode wellbeing, like excessive news or social media and over-reliance on alcohol. Certain nutrients also support the foundations of good mental health — for example, vitamin D, magnesium and omega-3s all play roles in brain function and mood regulation, and calming adaptogenic herbs are traditionally used to ease everyday stress, as we discuss in our natural remedies for anxiety and herbal remedies for stress relief. These supportive measures are valuable, but it's important to be clear that they complement rather than replace professional care for genuine mental health conditions.
When to reach out for help
Self-care is powerful, but it has limits — and knowing when to seek professional support is one of the most important things of all. If low mood, anxiety, hopelessness or other difficult feelings are persistent, intense, or interfering with your daily life, work or relationships, please reach out to a doctor or mental health professional. These are real, treatable health conditions, and effective help — including talking therapies and, where appropriate, other treatments — is available; seeking it is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you ever feel unable to cope, or have thoughts of harming yourself, please don't wait — contact your doctor, a crisis helpline or emergency services, or talk to someone you trust straight away. You deserve support, and help is there. Reaching out — to a professional or simply to a trusted friend or family member — is often the single most important step towards feeling better.
Frequently asked questions
Did the pandemic really affect mental health that much?
Yes. The World Health Organization reported a roughly 25% global increase in anxiety and depression in the pandemic's first year, driven by isolation, loneliness, fear, grief and financial stress. Young people and women were among the most affected. These struggles are real and widely shared — not a personal failing.
Will these feelings pass?
For many people, yes. Research shows humans are resilient and that distress after hard times is often a natural, temporary reaction, with recovery being the norm. It isn't always quick or linear, and some people need more support — but the overall message is hopeful: things can and do get better.
Coping with anxiety after COVID: what helps day to day?
Prioritise connection with others; stay physically active; sleep well; eat nourishingly; spend time outdoors; and manage stress through mindfulness, hobbies or rest. Limiting excessive news, social media and alcohol helps too. These steps genuinely support wellbeing, but they sit alongside professional care rather than replacing it — if anxiety is persistent, intense or getting in the way of your daily life, work or relationships, speak to a doctor or mental health professional.
Can supplements help with mental health?
Some nutrients — such as vitamin D, magnesium and omega-3s — support brain function and mood regulation, and calming herbs are traditionally used for everyday stress. These can support the foundations of good mental health, but they complement rather than replace professional care for genuine mental health conditions.
When should I seek professional help?
Reach out to a doctor or mental health professional if low mood, anxiety or other difficult feelings are persistent, intense, or interfering with your daily life, work or relationships. These are real, treatable conditions, and effective help is available. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
What if I feel unable to cope?
If you ever feel unable to cope, or have thoughts of harming yourself, please don't wait — contact your doctor, a crisis helpline or emergency services, or talk to someone you trust straight away. You deserve support, and help is there for you.
References
- COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. World Health Organization; 2 March 2022. World Health Organization
- van der Velden PG, Hyland P, Contino C, et al. Anxiety and depression symptoms, the recovery from symptoms, and loneliness before and after the COVID-19 outbreak among the general population: Findings from a Dutch population-based longitudinal study. PLoS One. 2021;16(1):e0245057. PMC7790276
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The team at SANUSq.
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