Monday 19 October 2009
Department of Health may struggle to tackle mental illness alone
In its formal response to the New Horizons consultation, the Mental Health Foundation has urged the Department of Health to rally the support of other Government Departments to tackle mental illness in England.
The Foundation, along with other campaigning organisations that make up the Future Vision Coalition*, says that progress in mental health could be hindered if not also made a priority by other Government Departments, such as the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“Mental health problems like depression and anxiety are the root causes of many social problems and some serious physical illnesses. Through New Horizons, the government needs to tackle mental illness from all angles. Failure to do so will result in the criminal justice system and health service pulling on the Government’s purse strings because that is where the economic costs occur when mental illness is ignored.
“Mental illness cannot be put into a box because its tremors are felt in so many areas of society including employment and education. New Horizons therefore requires a commitment from across Government to work on mental health together.”
Better access to non-pharmaceutical treatments needed
The Foundation also believes that one of the priorities in the next decade must be to make non-pharmaceutical treatments available to all those experiencing mental health problems. In a decade the total number of anti depressant prescribed has almost doubled from 18,424,473 in 1998 to 35,960,500 in 2008**.
Dr Andrew McCulloch continued:
“GPs and people with mental health problems have to rely on medication because of a lack of alternatives. More non-pharmaceutical treatments like talking therapy and exercise need to be made available more widely on the NHS. Evidence shows they work but provision is still really patchy. Only a quarter of those with a common mental health problem receive any kind of treatment.”
Need to do more to prevent mental illness
The Foundation believes that investment needs to be directed towards promoting good mental health in order to prevent mental illness. In England, only £4 million of the £4.5 billion of NHS mental health funding was spent on mental health promotion in 2007/2008 – just 0.1 per cent***.
The charity wants to see national awareness campaigns about common mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, similar to those that have focused on the prevention of physical illnesses like cancer and heart disease.
Dr Andrew McCulloch continued:
“If the nation is not encouraged to look after its mental health, both the number of people with a mental illness, and the associated costs, will continue to rise until they become unmanageable for public services.”
Give people with a severe mental illness the skills to self-manage
The charity also says that people with a severe mental illness such as bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia should be helped to self-manage their condition. Not only will this give people more control over their lives, but it will also lead to reduced demand on mental health services. Self-management is already commonly used by people with chronic physical health problems such as diabetes and arthritis, and has led to reduced pressure on hard-pressed services.
Dr Andrew McCulloch continued:
“Self-management can help individuals and their families to reclaim a better quality of life. Currently health and social services often end up providing expensive crisis intervention that could have been avoided if people had been trained in self-management skills.”
Ends
* The Future Vision Coalition’s report sets out a new vision for the future of mental health and well-being in England for when the National Service Framework for Mental Health comes to an end later this year - www.newvisionformentalhealth.org.uk
** Prescription Cost Analysis England 2008 from the NHS Information Centre
*** National Survey of Investment in Mental Health, 2007/08
Notes to editors
Full copy of the Mental Health Foundation response to the New Horizons consultation is available upon request. Telephone the Mental Health Foundation press office on 020 7803 1128.
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. Registered Charity No: (England & Wales) 801130: (Scotland) SC 039714.
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