Yesterday Mind published a report which really highlights why change is needed when it comes to the way we deal with mental health. By using freedom of information requests, Mind collected data on how much local authorities spend on mental illness prevention. They were shocked to discover that nationwide only 1.4% of local authority budgets for public health was spent on prevention of mental illness. This amounts to a total spend of roughly £40m a year. This is only a quarter of the £160m spent on aiding those aiming to cease smoking as a comparison.
Sadly this isn't all that surprising. In April 2013, as part of the reforms to the NHS, the responsibility for mental illness prevention was passed from Primary Care Trusts to local government. With minimal guidance and advice it's no surprise many local authorities haven't provided much support for preventing mental illness. Yet it is exactly this support that is most critical in treating mental illness.
So very often early action can help people who are developing mental health problems. Much like most illnesses prevention is key to treatment. You wouldn't wait for someone presenting with heart issues to have a heart attack to think about putting them on a course of appropriate treatment yet all too often this is exactly the situation people with mental illnesses face. Often In the case of depression (as in my case) once someone first sees a doctor they are diagnosed, started on a course of antidepressants and referred to some sort of talking therapy (such as CBT) . This sounds like a great approach to take, and in theory it should be the best support we currently know how to give. Unfortunately the reality of what this entails is less than ideal.
More often than not there is a very long waiting list to get on to talking therapy (thankfully Cambridge have their own counselling service so I only had to wait a month to be seen). Yes you read that right, I was thankful to only have to wait a month. Imagine presenting with a broken arm and being given some painkillers and told you've been referred to an orthopedic specialist but you'll have to wait until they're free, and it's typically at least a 6 week wait but can be up to 6 months or even a year. How ridiculous does that sound? Yet sadly it's a reality with mental illness. Waiting times can be as long as 6 months. So either you've got to be lucky with where you live or be fortunate enough to have the money to pay a private counsellor or else you're on your own until a slot frees up.
Oh and it doesn't just stop there. The side effects for antidepressants is an impressive list (I might share mine in a later post, but yeah I'm still taking them, as is almost always the case) but there is a warning that stands out more than any of the mentions of nausea, restlessness, lethargy, weight loss, weight gain etc. This is the warning that tells you, especially in the case of those younger than 25, taking antidepressants has been shown to be linked with an increase in suicide risk. Yes, the very pills you get given to help you cope until you finally get other help might well make everything worse. But you're on your own with this one until we have the funds to get someone to talk to you. (It does say to get in touch with your doctor if you start to have suicidal ideas, but trust me that's easier said than done, especially if you've already told them about them when you get diagnosed) It's no surprise that suicide is the leading cause of death in those aged 20-34 in the UK
Not only this but estimates say that mental illness accounts for roughly a quarter of all illness in the UK and yet only 13% of the total health budget is spent on treating and preventing mental illness. It's a well-quoted statistic that in any given year 1 in 4 of us will suffer at the hands of mental illness. Yet so few people feel able to talk open about their illness, seeing it as a weakness. It's long past the time the stigma attached to mental illness is done away with. When someone is battling cancer they are rightly described as brave and a role model, yet if someone declares they are battling with mental illness they are all too often called pathetic, weak and treated with disdain. It's time we treated mental illness like other crippling illnesses. (Please know I only make this comparison to highlight the plight those with mental illness face in society, I'm absolutely not trying to belittle anyone who has to battle cancer. It is a disease I would wish on no one I have nothing but the utmost respect and support for anyone who has to battle such a horrible condition. They are rightly seen as sources of inspiration and strength).
This is where Mind come in. They are doing so much work to break down this stigma and get people talking. Not only this but they campaign on behalf of all those with mental health issues. They also do so much work to support those struggling. They have a comprehensive website. This has lots of info about all kinds of mental illnesses and how to get support and this kind of knowledge can really be a life saver. I really do urge you to check it out if you have any spare time. I'll also add a list of awesome depression related resources at the side near the top if you ever want to learn more about the illness or how to help someone. If anyone reading this has any resources they want to add for any kind of mental illness please do send them to me and I'll happily add them. It's time we started talking.
As always if you want to donate to my cause I will greatly appreciate it. The link is near the top on the right
Jon
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