A major international study into the psychological impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown is underway and people over the age of 16 across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven are being asked to participate via a fifteen-minute confidential online survey.

The survey will allow local people’s thoughts, feelings and experiences to be recorded into the worldwide study, as Director of Research and Development at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust Dr Gregor Russell explains:

“The survey looks at the impact that Coronavirus and the lockdown has had and will continue to have on our emotions, behaviour and wellbeing. We’re really hoping people across the District will take part, so our area is well represented.

“Although lockdown restrictions are now easing, it seems we’ll all face social distancing for many months. How people deal with this will vary and that’s what this study wants to explore – because studying how people react and cope will play an important part in shaping how the NHS responds to any future crisis.”

People who choose to participate in the survey are asked to provide information about their wellbeing, ways of coping, loneliness and perceived support. The survey will also ask if you are experiencing any mental health difficulties currently or have done so in the past. You do not need to have had any mental health difficulties to complete the questionnaire as it is hoped a wide range of people with many different experiences of the pandemic will take part.

Dr Russell emphasised: “We want people from all walks of life to help us with this survey, including people with pre-existing vulnerabilities and mental health conditions, key workers, people working in health and care settings, families of COVID 19 patients and healthcare professionals, so please do spread the word amongst your friends and family.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is one of 55 organisations across the UK sharing the survey with local communities in a bid to get as many people as possible to participate in the worldwide study: ‘Psychological impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and experience’.

Mirroring the truly global scale of the pandemic, the study is also being shared by partners across the world, including, Canada, India, Greece, Singapore, and Holland, amongst others.

All information collected during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. It is hoped it will provide researchers and the NHS with much wider view of how the pandemic has affected people. This data can then be used to adapt and improve responses to future pandemics, allowing a more personalised approach to psychological support.

In the UK the study is sponsored by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust linked to the Medical Research Council global health research programme led by the Portsmouth-Brawijaya Centre for Global Health, Population, and Policy, University of Portsmouth.

The survey can be accessed directly on Southern Health Trust’s website – https://bit.ly/2SnQvg1. Anyone taking part from Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven is asked to ensure they select Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust when asked where they heard about the survey.