The prevalence of mental health problems

 

According to estimates, in the UK at any one time one adult in six suffers from some type of mental health problem, and 16 % of the adult population have a common mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety.⁷ The rate of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia is not as prevalent. They affect four people in every 1,000.⁸

National Health Service data indicate that some type of mental health problems occur in 50% or more of social workers' caseloads.⁹ The table below illustrates the disease prevalence and medical service contacts likely to occur in a Local Authority or District/Purchasing Consortium with a population of 500,000.

According to the UK Department of Health, these figures probably underestimate the full extent of the impact of mental health problems. This is due, in part, to the failure to recognize mental illness at the community and primary health care levels and because insufficient attention is given to psychological distress associated with physical diseases.¹⁰ An analysis by the Mental Health Foundation of the number people seeking help and access to services suggests that 1 in 4 people with mental illness has not sought treatment. Individuals usually seek help from their general practitioners (GP), since this is seen as less stigmatising than consulting a mental health care professional. Once a person has contacted the GP, they are usually treated within that practice. Fewer than 10% of cases are referred to secondary care within mental health services.¹¹

 

SUICIDE

 

Mental illness is a significant cause of premature death, of which suicide and undetermined death account for a large portion. People with mental illness are also at increased risk of early death from respiratory illnesses, cancer, and coronary disease. The suicide rates in the UK are low compared to other European Union countries. Yet, on average, suicide accounts for more than one death every two hours.¹²

Over 95% of people who commit suicide have been suffering from mental illness. Ten to 15% of people with severe mental illness commit suicide. Suicide is three times more common among men than women, and the risk is even greater for men in unskilled occupations, who are four times more likely to commit suicide than professionals. Unemployment also increases the risk of suicide. In the population as a whole, suicide is the most common cause of death among 15 to 34 year-old males.¹³ However, in the immigrant