Investigating inflation, living costs and mental health service utilization in post-COVID-19 England

This study examines the association between price inflation and mental health conditions in England during the post-COVID-19 era (from April 2022). Using Office for National Statistics (ONS) and National Health Service (NHS) data, the authors assessed how overall inflation (CPIH) and its subcomponents relate to the number of people in contact with mental health services across age groups. Compared with the pre-COVID-19 period (August 2016–February 2020), significant associations emerged between specific living costs—particularly food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water and fuels, and miscellaneous goods and services—and mental health service utilization, especially among adults (19–64 years) and older adults (≥65 years). Findings underscore the need to address rising living costs as potential drivers of mental health demand and to inform targeted policies such as financial subsidies and scaling up mental health services.

Shanquan Chen, Miaoqing Yang, Hannah Kuper