Following nearly 10 months of restrictions and still no end date for the third national lockdown, the mental health of the nation has taken a hit.

Wednesday was the deadliest day of the pandemic so far, with 1,820 people dying within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, surpassing the previous peak of 1,610 deaths set on Tuesday, according to government data.

Short days, bleak weather and financial hardships are making the latest lockdown particularly difficult – evidenced in an Ipsos MORI poll released earlier this month that showed six in 10 Brits admitting to finding it harder to stay positive this time.

Recent ONS data also found the number of people suffering from depression has doubled, while a survey by the Prince’s Trust for Channel 4 News found a quarter of young people admitting to struggling to cope since lockdown was implemented.

Last year, figures also showed that over six million people in England received antidepressants in the three months to September – the highest figure on record.

Lockdown has also taken its toll on key workers, with a poll showing that more than one in four medics have sought mental health support during the pandemic.

Home secretary Priti Patel said on Wednesday that it was “too early” to start giving dates for when the lockdown will end, but government sources have claimed that Boris Johnson is looking to significantly lift restrictions by Easter.

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