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As of 1 April 2020, there have been 29 474 confirmed cases of covid-19 in the UK. 1 As discussed by Mahase, the UK government has enforced “social distancing” measures to curb transmission, protect the vulnerable, and prevent saturation of the NHS. 2 Social distancing has potential mental health implications—how can we mitigate these to bolster this essential public health effort?

In recent pandemics, isolation and quarantine (more extreme forms of social distancing) have precipitated depression and anxiety. 3 4 We might expect to see similar effects as confined people are detached from their loved ones, deprived of personal liberties, and devoid of purpose owing to altered routine and livelihood. 5 This can contribute to frustration, boredom, low mood, and potentially depression. Anxiety might arise from fear of contagion and inadequate clarity around social distancing guidelines, often made worse by less …