6th May 2020
1 in 4 adults in the UK (24%) have felt hopeful
Whilst this was an increase from 14% before the lockdown, substantial numbers of students (27%) and people who are unemployed (26%) felt hopeless.
Key reasons of stress varied for different people:
- 1 in 3 (33%) of those in work worried about losing their job, almost half of those unemployed (45%) worried about having enough food to meet their household basic needs, while almost half of students (45%) worried about their existing mental health problems worsening
- One third (33%) of people in the UK said they have financial concerns such as going into debt, and this was rising to more than half (52%) for people who are unemployed
Almost 4 in 10 people (38%) said eating too much has been a way to help them cope (an increase from 30% in early April).
On a positive note, fewer people felt unprepared (13%, down from 29% before lockdown), worried (57%, down from 62% before lockdown), or panicked (17%, down from 22% before the lockdown).
However, whilst coping and hope levels seemed relatively high, 11% of people who are unemployed said there was nothing that had helped them to cope with stress.
More people used outside walks (60%) and hobbies (44%) to help them cope.