Pandemic will increase loneliness and worsen mental health difficulties, experts warn

Loneliness could increase across all age groups, in particular young adults, the study found. File Picture.

The negative psychological effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are likely to remain for a long time, with a potential threefold increase in mental health difficulties anticipated, leading Irish experts have warned.

Those working in the health frontlines, such as nurses, could be particularly vulnerable, the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) said in a paper.