Current smoking, and in particular heavy smoking, is associated with all the mental disorders, according to a survey of mental health and tobacco, alcohol and drug use among people aged 16-74.
Source: Melissa Coulthard, Michael Farrell, Nicola Singleton and Howard Meltzer, Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Use and Mental Health, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Tables (pdf) | Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
Former users of mental health services who are now employed in health and social care called for the establishment of a national organisation dedicated to unifying and supporting their work.
Source: Rose Snow, Stronger Than Ever: The report of the 1st National Conference of Survivor Workers UK, Asylum (0161 718 6677)
Links: Summary | Guardian article
Date: 2002-Dec
A joint committee of MPs and peers strongly criticised the human rights implications of the draft Mental Health Bill, listing 13 separate concerns.
Source: Draft Mental Health Bill, Twenty Fifth Report (Session 2001-02), HL 181 and HC 1294, Joint Committee on Human Rights (House of Lords and House of Commons), TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Rethink press release
Date: 2002-Nov
Plans for a Mental Health Bill were not included in the Queen's Speech: but the government said they had only been delayed, to allow it more time to consider consultation responses.
Source: Queen's Speech, House of Commons Hansard, 13.11.02, columns 3-5, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 14.11.02, column 170, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard (Speech) | Hansard 14.11.02
Date: 2002-Nov
A report presented findings relating to the circumstances of people with psychosis living in the community, from a survey of psychiatric morbidity among adults aged 16 to 74 living in private households in Great Britain in 2000.
Source: Maureen O Brien, Nicola Singleton, Janet Sparks, Howard Meltzer and Traolach Brugha, Adults with a Psychotic Disorder Living in Private Households, 2000, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The government published a consultation document designed to provide information, generate discussion and outline a direction to help achieve a mainstream approach to gender in mental health service organisation and delivery.
Source: Women s Mental Health: Into the Mainstream, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
A discussion document was published aimed at encouraging local and national debate on the meaning and importance of mental health and well-being in Scotland.
Source: With Health in Mind: Improving mental health and well-being in Scotland, Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance, available from Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health (0131 555 5959)
Links: Report (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2002-Oct
Research found that 55 per cent of women who are in prison for the first time have an identifiable mental illness; and that, of those with a mental health problem, 83 per cent suffer from depression.
Source: Bad Girls? Women, Mental Health and Crime, Revolving Doors Agency (020 7242 9222)
Links: Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 6.2
Date: 2002-Sep
Civil rights campaigners set out a series of objections to draft mental health legislation regarding the detention of certain people suffering from a severe personality disorder.
Source: Liberty s Response to the Department of Health Consultation on the Draft Mental Health Bill, Liberty (020 7403 3888)
Links: Response (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
Adults with a mental disorder are much more likely to fall behind with their bill payments than other people (24 per cent compared with nine per cent), according to a report.
Source: Howard Meltzer, Nicola Singleton, Alison Lee, Paul Bebbington, Traolach Brugha and Rachel Jenkins, Social and Economic Circumstances of Adults with Mental Disorders, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
The government began consultation on a draft Mental Health Bill, under which people with untreatable personality disorders could be detained in secure hospitals. The proposals were attacked by civil liberties campaigners.
Source: Mental Health Bill: Consultation Document, Cm 5538-III, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Draft Mental Health Bill, Cm 5538-I, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Press release 25.6.02, Liberty (020 7403 3888)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Draft Bill (pdf) | Liberty press release
Date: 2002-Jun
Black Caribbeans do not have significantly higher rates of psychotic illness (including schizophrenia) than average, a major survey found.
Source: K. Sproston and J. Nazroo (eds.), Ethnic Differences in the Context and Experience of Psychiatric Illness: A Qualitative Study, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-May