A Perth mental health charity says the mental health effects of Covid-19 could be around for a decade.
It comes as a Recovery Week is currently being held in Perthshire for the first time to provide support and address mental health stigmatisation.
Led by local mental health groups, the week began on Monday to provide people in Perth and Kinross further information and support.
Organisers say that the Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the need for further mental health provision.
Sharon Thomas, manager at charity Lighthouse for Perth, believes the impact of coronavirus on mental health will last for at least a decade.
She said: “Mental health is an area where recovery should be recognised, and Covid-19 is definitely increasing the need for support in this area.
“I feel we will still be dealing with the fallout from the current situation for at least the next ten years as far as mental health is concerned.
“A new facility in Perth, The Neuk, has had a timely arrival and provides mental health support from various agencies all under one roof.
“Never before has these services been needed so much.”
Mental health walks have been held in the Fair City in previous years, but this is the first time it has seen a Recovery Week.
It is hoped this will become an annual event in Perth and Kinross.
The week was organised by a number of organisations including Lighthouse for Perth, The Neuk, Andy’s Man Club and the Women’s Wellbeing Club.
Each day will follow social distancing guidelines as mental health organisations provide mental health support through a series of events.
These include a remembrance day, drop-in sessions at The Neuk, the Recovery Walk and information on the stigmatisation of mental health language.
Ms Thomas said: “The idea came about after we realised that the National Recovery Walk was being cancelled this year.
“So we decided that it was important that the year did not pass without marking Recovery and wellbeing in Perth and Kinross.
“It is important that with all that has happened so far in this year that we do not just ‘cancel’ the year but make sure we realise people have struggled but also people have achieved things that are important to them even though this has been a difficult year.”
She added: “Importantly services are still developing, we are still there and support exists.”
