8 June 2007
Dear Sir,
Mick Hume may be correct in saying that working conditions during the Victorian era were more stressful than today (Notebook, June 8.) No doubt mental illness affected business productivity then, although we have no data to prove that. We do know that the current annual cost to the economy of mental ill-health is around £30 billion. Society, and the economy need strong policies to deal with these issues in order to create a healthier and more productive workforce. This is good for business – an old-fashioned call for us to pull our socks up isn’t.
Similarly, ignoring the rise in young people’s mental health problems is not going to provide a solution. Cases of depression in children have risen by 70% in the last 25 years. By catching these problems early with a few simple questions at school, they can be dealt with successfully. It’s not about malingering or being feeble-minded – it’s about facing up to the challenges our society faces and building a stronger one.
Andrew McCulloch
Chief Executive
The Mental Health Foundation
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