A new report has revealed how charities quickly adapted to help people with mental health support during the pandemic at a time when other services were closed or suspended.

Six in ten peer support groups say they now plan to continue to provide some form of support remotely after restrictions are lifted, after people recovering from mental ill health said they appreciated the flexibility on offer.

The figures have been revealed in a new report by the Scottish Recovery Network, which commissioned an independent researcher to look into what participants and providers thought of the rapid switch to online services caused by the pandemic.

Nine in ten providers moved to remote support within a month of lockdown as they were thrown in at the ‘deep end’, the research says.

Participants who used the services welcomed the new approach, though they said it was not a replacement for face-to-face support.

One said: “I could do it from home which was really convenient because I am a single parent on a low income, and driving into town is a tenner in fuel.

“You can cook your tea while you are at the meeting or hang up your washing or continue with life.”

The new approach has the potential to reach people who might not usually engage with support, such as carers and those living in rural areas.

However, the report warns that a lack of access to technology, internet or data, stopped some from getting help, while seven in ten providers said not everyone understood the technology.

Facilitators also had to adapt to the shift online, with one stating: “It is definitely different, and it is quite hard missing out on the body language.

“Even with a video call, you are not getting a great picture or the sense when somebody is getting tense.”

Overall, eight in ten attendees said they felt better after accessing support online.

The acting director of the Scottish Recovery Network, Louise Christie, said it was important to learn lessons from the covid-19 response.

“The ability of peer support to adapt and change during the covid-19 lockdown should be celebrated and built on.

“The Meaningful Connections research again shines a light on the essential role of the third sector in providing accessible mental health support that reflects the needs of the community.

“Digital is not seen as a replacement for face-to-face peer support but as an additional approach that can provide additional access, choice and meaningful connections.”

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