News Release, 19 June 2006
Response to new report: The Depression Report – A New Deal for Depression and Anxiety Disorders.
Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation today welcomed a report from the London School of Economics which calls for clinical guidance on treatments for depression, anxiety and schizophrenia to be implemented in full;
“There is overwhelming evidence to show that CBT is effective for many and therefore it should, without question, be made widely available on the NHS. Individuals should not have to wait 12 months for a straightforward and cost-effective treatment for what can be a debilitating illness.”
But McCulloch warned that depression is a complex illness with many roots including social deprivation and we must be realistic about how to deal with it:
“CBT is not a magic bullet. We need a range of treatments to be made available for people living with depression, especially those whose symptoms are severe. We also need to tackle the root causes of common mental illnesses. Overestimating the capabilities of CBT will only lead to disappointment later down the line, for both patients and service providers.”
McCulloch also asserted that media reports over the weekend have confused unhappiness with mental illness, which is dangerous for patients with mental health problems:
“We don’t need treatments on the NHS to make people happy, we just need treatments that will help people feel okay again and able to work, able to interact with friends and families and get out of bed in the morning. If a physical illness prevents a person from doing these things, priority is given and treatments provided. No one should suffer these effects and go untreated in a civilised society. It is important to understand that depression is a real and serious illness.”
Ends
Read the London School of Economics report, 'The Depression Report: A New Deal for Depression and Anxiety Disorders' (on the London School of Economics website)
Return to news releases 2006
Notes to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130 or email the press office
Dr. Andrew McCulloch is available for interviews in and out of work hours.
The Mental Health Foundation is the leading UK charity working to improve services for both people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. It is the only charity to fund and work with both service users and providers and plays an important role in funding research and new approaches to prevention, treatment and care. The Foundation’s work includes allocating grants for research and community projects; contributing to the public debate; educating policy makers and healthcare professionals and striving to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness.
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