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Hundreds of people are at risk over the Christmas period after calls to the missing persons helpline increased by two-thirds during the coronavirus outbreak.
The impacts of the pandemic and the lockdown have triggered an increase in the number of people thinking of disappearing, the Missing People Association said.
Calls to its helpline increased 68%, from an average of 284 calls per quarter in 2018-19 and 2019-20 to 477 on average for the first two quarters of 2020-21. And the number of vulnerable adults assisted has increased by more than a third since March, with 817 adults assisted on average during the first two quarters of 2020-21.
This rose from 583 adults on average per quarter in 2018-19 and 2019-20, with some of the increase likely also due to better data recording.
Now the charity is asking families forced to separate during the holiday period to remotely monitor loved ones as some people are “necessarily excluded” from Christmas celebrations due to government guidelines limiting gatherings to three families.
CEO Jo Youle said: “Christmas is always a busy time of year, especially in 2020, when many of us have spent the year away from loved ones and continue to do so.
“Mental health and money problems are a key factor in people’s disappearance. This year, the financial and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are likely to lead to a significant increase in the number of people missing and feeling suicide, perhaps on a scale never seen before.
“This is likely to be felt most acutely in disadvantaged communities and in those that are already socially excluded.”
You don’t have to suffer in silence if you are struggling with your mental health. Here are some groups you can contact when you need help:
Samaritans: call 116 123, 24 hours a day or send an email to [email protected], in confidence
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and will not appear on your bill
PAPYRUS: A volunteer organization that supports suicidal teenagers and young adults. Telephone 0800068 4141
Depression Alliance: a charity for people with depression. No helpline but offers helpful resources and links to other information on their website
Students Against Depression: A website for depressed, low-mood, or suicidal students. Click here to visit
Bullying in the UK: A website for children and adults affected by bullying. Click here
Campaign Against a Miserable Life (CALM): for young people who feel unhappy. It has a website here and a helpline: 0800 58 58 58
A survey for the charity found that two-thirds of vulnerable people reported that the lockdown measures had worsened their mental health, while half said it had become more difficult to access support services.
A University of Liverpool survey found that fewer adults went missing during the first block than the previous year, but those who did were more vulnerable and more at risk of harming themselves or others.
Men between the ages of 22 and 39 are the group of adults most likely to go missing, with black and minority ethnic groups representing a disproportionately high percentage of people reported missing and among the groups most affected by Covid-19.
Missing People has produced a free guide – supported by People’s Postcode Lottery and Royal Mail – on how families can take care of the mental health of others.
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