The coupling to depression is unsurprising. I don't think I know anyone with long term pain (even under management) who isn't battling the black dog.

So a trivial take away is that for above 15% increase in self reporting as long-term sick, pre- to post-covid, we've also scored increased needs for mental health treatment alongside debilitating multiple symptom diseases and musculo-skeletal pain.

Twice the cost burdens compared to simple illness increase because longterm.

This during a time of chronic under-funding of the NHS, backlogged waiting lists, staff leaving in droves, strikes.

Makes you laugh, eh?