A new U.K. study suggests that lonely and socially isolated children are likely to experience high rates of depression and anxiety long after the current lockdown is over and that clinicians need to be prepared for a future spike in demand.

“From our analysis, it is clear there are strong associations between loneliness and depression in young people, both in the immediate and the longer-term,” said Dr. Maria Loades, clinical psychologist from the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath who led the work.

“We know this effect can sometimes be lagged, meaning it can take up to …