The chair of our region's biggest mental health NHS Trust has warned that he "can see no short-term end" to intense pressure on services.
He also warned that the it is likely to see funding challenges from April when new NHS funding arrangements come into place.
Ken Jarrold, chair of the board of the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust (CNTW) said it faced four distinct pressures at a "very challenging time".
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Mr Jarrold told a meeting of NHS Trust's board last week: "In terms of increased demand, we continue to be affected by substantially increased demand on our services, not least in children and young people - and I can see no short-term end to that.
"It may be that the numbers of patients in physical health hospitals are beginning to fall, but the mental health impact of Covid-19 will be felt for some years to come and I don't think that is understood at a national level."
He added that with more NHS funding being funnelled towards, for example, tackling backlogs for physical health procedures, the Trust would be facing a difficult next financial year.
"We have always known that the transition from the Covid-funding regime to the post-Covid funding regime would be a difficult one," he said - and he added that the "indications" were this would indeed be the case.
Mr Jarrold also said the fallout from the ongoing public criticism and calls for a public inquiry at the neighbouring Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust - the only other mental health and learning disability trust in the region - would have "implications" for CNTW.
CNTW commissions some services from its nearby counterpart. In addition to the demand on services, and the high impact of Covid-19 on staffing, he said finances and the situation at TEWV made four difficult pressures for the Trust.
Mr Jarrold added: "While demand and staffing have been very familiar problems, the two other pressures facing us - finances and what's going on in our neighbouring trust and the implications of that for us - are new.
"It's a difficult and challenging situation however it is nothing compared to that facing the people of Ukraine."
Speaking while the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued, he added: " Our thoughts are all of the people of Ukraine who are facing a terrible, terrible situation."
Mr Jarrold said CNTW had reached out to staff and patients who had connections to both Ukraine and Russia in order to offer support.
CNTW's chief exec James Duncan also spoke of the coming financial strain. He welcomed positive reports for the current financial year - the Trust is on course to break-even - by saying: "It's unlikely that we'll be hearing those words much from the first of April so enjoy them while you can."
Mr Duncan did however welcome recently accepted amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill - which is currently making it through Westminster - saying that amendments tabled by Lord Hunt regarding issues including ensuring "parity of esteem" for mental and physical health in law were good ones.
In February, a Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said: "Everyone should have access to safe, appropriate mental health care and we are transforming NHS services backed by an extra £2.3 billion per year by 2023/24 to allow hundreds of thousands more children to access support.
"We recognise the impact the pandemic has had on everyone and mental health services are there for those who need them, so if you need support or are concerned about someone else, please reach out for help."
NHS England also announced a £40 million funding increase in 2021-22 to "address the Covid impact on children and young people’s mental health and enhance services across the country".
