Economic climate creates mental health timebomb - YoungMinds

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Commenting on research commissioned by Patient.co.uk that shows that young people are being hit the hardest by the economic downturn,

Lucie Russell, Director of Campaigns Policy and Participation, YoungMinds said:
“Young people today face pressures like never before, the economic downturn has simply exacerbated the situation. With zero job prospects, university increasingly financially unviable and ever increasing pressure to follow the latest consumer trends this research reflects a grim picture for young people.

“This bleak outlook is understandably leading to concerns about the mental health of young people. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030 more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem yet investment in mental health remains sadly lacking, we are sitting on a mental health timebomb and urgent action is needed to invest in mental health support services for young people

“For every pound spent by the NHS, specific services for children and young people’s mental health receive less than a penny. A declining mental health budget will inevitably lead to a decline in mental health across the population and huge knock on costs to the taxpayer.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  1. For further information and to arrange interviews please contact Chris Leaman on 020 7089 5066 or 07813 810114 email chris.leaman@youngminds.org.uk
  2. YoungMinds is the UK’s leading children’s mental health charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of children and empowering their parents and carers. For further information go to www.youngminds.org.uk
  3. Patient.co.uk commissioned ICM to conduct their research. ICM interviewed a random sample of 2,035 adults aged 18+ from its online panel between 10 January and 13 January 2012. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. For the purpose of this study, the economic downturn was specified as starting in 2009. www.icmresearch.com.
  1. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030 more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem. Yet most developing countries are spending less than 2% of their national budgets on mental healthcare, and Britain spends about 1.7%.

  2. Spending by the NHS for Mental Health Services was revealed in a parliamentary question tabled by Annette Brook MP http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111220/text/111220w0003.htm#11122073001667

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020 7089 5066 or chris.leaman@youngminds.org.uk

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