According to Office for National Statistics report, around 1 in 5 (21%) adults experienced some form of depression in early 2021 (27 January to 7 March); this is an increase since November 2020 (19%) and more than double that observed before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (10%).

As an organisation (Caridon Foundation) that works with vulnerable tenants, it is concerning to learn that those most likely to experience some form of depression are younger adults and women, disabled and clinically extremely vulnerable adults and people who rent homes as opposed to homeowners.

Caridon Foundation aims to help tenants who struggle to manage their finances and as a result, may face the risk of eviction. Focusing on financial characteristics, the pandemic has accelerated many financial fears, with around 1 in 3 (35%) adults who reported being unable to afford an unexpected but necessary expense of £850, experiencing depressive symptoms in early 2021, compared with 1 in 5 (21%) adults before the pandemic.

In addition, for working age adults aged 16 to 64 years, those with lower gross personal incomes of less than £10,000 a year had the highest rates of depressive symptoms (37%) when compared with all higher income groups.

The complexities and breadth of mental health cannot be examined in a single report, but what the data does show is that the impact of the pandemic on mental health is real and far reaching. Whilst lockdown eases, people can reunite with loved ones and businesses can start to recover losses, but for some people tackling the lasting damage to their mental health could take much longer.

The signs of mental illness can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors and can affect thoughts, emotions and behaviours in a range of different ways. It may start with simply feeling sad and down, having excessive fears or worries but lead on to suicidal thoughts. Symptoms may include excessive mood changes, extreme tiredness and low energy or trouble sleeping, an inability to cope with daily issues and a desire to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope.

We would urge any of our tenants who feel that their mental health is suffering to contact their Caridon Foundation support worker today.

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Caridon Foundation Eagles, an adult mental health football team in Croydon, set up by Caridon Foundation and run by Palace for Life Foundation, hosted and won a five-a-side football tournament on 9^th October at Selhurst Sports Arena to raise awareness of World Mental Health Day.

The annual tournament, which usually brings together teams from across London and the South-East, had to be reduced in size this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.  However, the players, who have all experienced challenges with their mental health at some point in their lives, were keen to raise awareness and promote the benefits of sport in helping improve mental health.

Sherrelle Collman, Managing Director of Caridon Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which offers housing related support to tenants that are deemed vulnerable within the community, says: “Caridon Foundation works with tenants, who often have multiple social disadvantages including mental health issues, to provide tenancy sustainment and support services.  It is through this work that we have seen the importance that physical wellbeing has on mental health, and is the key reason we started the Caridon Foundation Eagles.”

The football team, which has weekly coaching sessions with Palace for Life, was set up to give tenants the opportunity to play football with likeminded people in a safe and friendly environment and become part of a strong support network.

Following the tournament, in which players from both Palace for Life Foundation and Caridon Foundation Eagles took part, Sherrelle commented: “Now, more than ever, the pressures and uncertainty put upon individuals as a result of the pandemic means we have seen a rise in people suffering with mental health issues.  Through sport, some of our tenants have found a support network and we’re seeing the positive impact it is having on their mental well-being. We hope by running events such as this tournament and helping our tenants’ share their own experiences, others will be inspired to speak up and make a positive change to their lives.”

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