1. Prevalence:
1 in 4 people experience mental health
The most common types of mental health problems are anxiety and depression.
2. Mental Health in Youth:
Rates of depression and anxiety in teenagers have increased by 70% in the past 25 years.
About 10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience these problems have not had appropriate interventions at an early age.
3. Impact of COVID-19:
The pandemic led to a significant increase in the number of people reporting common mental health problems in the UK.
Many individuals reported feeling more isolated, anxious, and depressed during lockdowns.
4. Suicide:
Suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49 in England and Wales.
In 2019, 5,691 suicides were recorded in Great Britain. Of these, 75% were male.
5. Services and Treatment:
Over the years, there have been concerns about long waiting times for mental health services in the UK.
In 2019, only 1 in 8 adults with a mental health problem were receiving treatment.
6. Economic Impact:
Mental health problems are estimated to cost the UK economy between £70-100 billion each year.
This includes costs from lost productivity, benefits, and healthcare.
7. Workplace:
Stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to ill health in the UK in 2018/2019.
8. Public Perception:
There has been a positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health in recent years, with campaigns like Time to Change working to reduce stigma.
However, misconceptions and stigma still exist, and many people feel uncomfortable talking about their mental health issues
9. Future Projections:
With increasing awareness and changing societal attitudes, there's hope that access to services, quality of care, and public understanding will improve.
Continuous efforts are needed to ensure equitable access to mental health services for all, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status.