Modern life, mental health and the NHS

By Liz Lockhart

The rise in the number of people being diagnosed with mental health disorder cannot be denied. The number of people who suffer from poor mental health is conservatively estimated at 1 in 4. Many GPs would put this number significantly higher.

There could be many reasons for this rapid rise. More people feel able to open up about mental illness as the stigma is gradually lifted. Doctors say that two of the major contributing factors for the rise are the stresses caused by the increase in the age of retirement and the dynamics of modern family life.

People are working longer and harder as fear of redundancy and job losses grips the country. Whilst we toil away it would be worth stopping to consider that our most precious asset is our health. It is only when we no longer have this that we realise just how vital it is. We take it for granted until we no longer have the luxury of it.

Physical and mental health are inextricably linked. Without one we don’t really stand a chance of having the other. Surely it is time that health providers also recognise this synergy of body and mind.

The amount of money reportedly provided for mental health in the NHS annual budget is just £11b. A huge gulf exists between the amount spent on physical and mental health services. If only the importance of good mental health provision was recognised as being equally vital to physical health then surely long-term savings would follow.

With GPs reporting that the number of patients showing up at surgeries across north London with mental health problem has increased by as many as 50% what is the solution?

One improvement in efficiency could occur if primary and mental health trusts were to pay greater attention to what GPs are telling them. It is also hoped that the newly emerging clinical consortia boards will provide an opportunity to redress the balance. Another change in that the NHS Choice agenda has been extended to include community and mental health services too may also help to redress the balance.