There are renewed calls for the NHS to emphasise treatment for mental health problems a lot more, as they account for 28% of illness according to a new report.
“Our society has not fully recognised how important mental health is, and how prevalent mental ill-health is” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dame Sally Davies.
The annual report from the CMO has highlighted that a quarter of all adults suffer with some form of mental health problem (such as depression) all of the time.
This led to an estimated 70 million working days lost last year due to stress and mental ill-health, a rising figure, which was up by 24% on the amount lost in 2009.
Furthermore, 75% of adult mental illness starts before the age of 18, and “we clearly have to do something to support children and help them, because 50% of mental ill health starts before the age of 15,” Dame Davies added.
Despite counting for 28% of illness, the NHS budget only dedicates 13% of its budget to mental health, according to the report.
The lack of support for those suffering in schools and suffering as adults in the workplace is having a huge impact on the economy, and more preventative measures would help to both alleviate this, and help millions of people live happier lives.
