6 January 2006
Dear Sir,
News that liver cirrhosis deaths are rising as a result of alcohol consumption (Sobering increase in Britons dying for drink, January 6) only fuels the need for the physical and mental health implications of alcohol misuse to be addressed.
We continue to severely neglect the cause and effect relationship between mental health and alcohol use in the UK. Nearly 12 million adults rely on alcohol to manage feelings of depression, fear, loneliness or low self-esteem and a closer look at drinking among Britons suggests worrying trends in their emotional health and coping skills.
Whilst health and social policy continues to focus on physical-health, with little or no regard for mental health, the Government is working to get people on benefits with depression and anxiety back to work, and the economic cost of mental ill-health rises year on year. It’s time for a more sophisticated debate about alcohol use.
Dr Andrew McCulloch
Chief Executive
The Mental Health Foundation
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