A survey found that almost one-half of people with experience of mental distress were living on less than £200 per week.
Source: Still in the Red: Update on debt and mental health, Mind
Links: Report | Mind press release
Date: 2011-Dec
A report said that mental illness was a growing problem in advanced (OECD) countries and was increasingly affecting productivity and well-being in the workplace. 1 in 5 workers suffered from a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. 3 in 4 workers with a mental disorder reported reduced productivity at work, compared with 1 in 4 workers without a mental disorder. Work absences were also much more frequent for workers with mental illness, and 30-50 per cent of all new disability benefit claims in OECD countries were attributed to mental ill-health.
Source: Sick on the Job? Myths and realities about mental health and work, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Links: Summary | OECD press release
Date: 2011-Dec
A report highlighted the relevance of mental well-being to achieving the objectives set by the Europe 2020 strategy. It presented the first outcomes of the European pact for mental health and well-being (bringing together European institutions, member states, and stakeholders from relevant sectors and the research community to support and promote mental health and well-being).
Source: Mental Well-Being: For a Smart, Inclusive and Sustainable Europe, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined concerns that social care research might be stifled by health-focused ethical scrutiny under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and by the requirement for an 'appropriate body' to determine ethical approval for research involving people who were deemed to lack capacity under the Act to make decisions concerning their participation and consent in research.
Source: Jonathan Parker, Bridget Penhale, and David Stanley, 'Social care and social science research and the Mental Capacity Act 2005', Ethics and Social Welfare, Volume 5 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined representative literature on social inclusion, and evaluated the usefulness of the concept in mental health policy.
Source: Michael Parsonage and Geoff Shepherd, 'Measuring the costs and benefits of promoting social inclusion', Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Volume 15 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined whether the midlife prevalence peak for psychological distress and common mental disorders occurred only in lower-income households. Prevalence of psychological distress, diagnoses, and treatments rose with age until early middle age and declined subsequently. In analyses conducted separately by income categories, this pattern was marked in low-income groups but absent in high-income groups.
Source: Iain Lang, David Llewellyn, Ruth Hubbard, Kenneth Langa, and David Melzer, 'Income and the midlife peak in common mental disorder prevalence', Psychological Medicine, Volume 41, Issue 7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
A paper used data from the 1970 British Cohort Study to estimate the intergenerational correlation of mental health between mothers, their children, and their grandchildren. The probability of feeling depressed was 63 per cent higher for children whose mothers had reported the same symptom 20 years earlier. Maternal and own mental health were strong predictors of adulthood socio-economic outcomes.
Source: David Johnston, Stefanie Schurer, and Michael Shields, Evidence on the Long Shadow of Poor Mental Health Across Three Generations, Discussion Paper 6014, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Oct
A report examined the rights of people with mental health problems in European Union member states. Rights were protected by existing non-discrimination laws, and by the duty to provide 'reasonable accommodation' at work. However, in areas such as access to housing or goods and services, the protection of the rights of people with mental health problems varied considerably across member states and could be strengthened.
Source: The Legal Protection of Persons with Mental Health Problems Under Non-Discrimination Law: Understanding disability as defined by law and the duty to provide reasonable accommodation in European Union member states, Fundamental Rights Agency (European Commission)
Links: Report | FRA press release
Date: 2011-Oct
A new book said that the boundaries of what was counted as 'mental illness' needed to be restricted. Many of the phenomena identified as mental illness were normal reactions to life's difficulties: although individuals might need support, it was not appropriate or helpful for such phenomena to be pathologized and treated as indicative of mental disorder.
Source: Joan Busfield, Mental Illness, Polity Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined trends in newspaper coverage of mental illness. There had been a significant proportional reduction in negative articles about mental illness between 1992 and 2008, and a significant increase in articles explaining psychiatric disorders. Coverage improved for depression but remained largely negative for schizophrenia.
Source: Robert Goulden, Elizabeth Corker, Sara Evans-Lacko, Diana Rose, Graham Thornicroft, and Claire Henderson, ' Newspaper coverage of mental illness in the UK, 1992-2008', BMC Public Health, Volume 11
Date: 2011-Oct
An article provided an overview of social exclusion, and the way in which people with mental health problems were excluded from mainstream society.
Source: Jed Boardman, ' Social exclusion and mental health – how people with mental health problems are disadvantaged: an overview', Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Volume 15 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
A report said that mental disorders had became Europe's largest health challenge. Each year 38.2 per cent of the European Union's population – or 164.8 million people – suffered from a mental disorder.
Source: Hans-Ulrich Wittchen et al., The Size and Burden of Mental Disorders and Other Disorders of the Brain in Europe 2010, European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Links: Report | ECN press release | MHF press release | Platform 51 press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Sep
A report examined the importance of accessible public transport to people with mental health issues. It highlighted the many factors that affected access, including concessionary fares.
Source: Mental Health & Public Transport, Mental Health Action Group
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Sep
The Scottish Government began consultation on a revised strategy for mental health, covering the period 2011-2015.
Source: Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2011-15 – A Consultation, Scottish Government
Links: Consultation document | Scottish Government press release
Date: 2011-Sep
A paper examined the relationship between child mental health and personal/family characteristics; and between child mental health and educational progress. Maternal education and mental health, family income, and major adverse life events, were all significant in explaining child mental health; and child mental health was found to have a large influence on educational progress. There was a strong tendency for observers to understate the problems of older children and adolescents.
Source: David Johnston, Carol Propper, Stephen Pudney, and Michael Shields, Child Mental Health and Educational Attainment: Multiple observers and the measurement error problem, Working Paper 2011-20, Institute for Social and Economic Research (University of Essex)
Links: Working paper | Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined the development of a prototype index of the factors influencing mental well-being in local areas in England. Positive factor scores were generally higher in rural areas. High-risk factor scores were generally seen in most urban areas.
Source: Gyles Glover, Rebecca Lee, and Alison Copeland, 'A prototype index of factors affecting mental wellbeing in England', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 10 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
An article examined the association between homelessness and poor health, both physical and mental. Many homeless people became caught in the 'revolving door' of hostels, prison, hospitals, and the streets, often for many years. This form of homelessness affected people because of their mental health, and social solutions alone were not sufficient. Offering appropriate clinical interventions alongside existing social ones could begin to transform the situation.
Source: Peter Cockersell, 'Homelessness and mental health: adding clinical mental health interventions to existing social ones can greatly enhance positive outcomes', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 10 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
A paper outlined the rationale for including questions relating to the relationship between social exclusion and mental health problems in a survey on poverty and social exclusion..
Source: Sarah Payne, Social Exclusion and Mental Health: Review of literature and existing surveys, Working Paper 15, Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK Project
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jul
A report said that antidepressants were too often prescribed to girls and women to treat mental health problems. A 'huge number' of women used antidepressants for long periods without being reviewed or offered any alternatives to drugs.
Source: Checks and Choices: Women and antidepressants, Platform 51 (formerly Young Women s Christian Association)
Links: Report | Platform 51 press release | Rethink press release
Date: 2011-Jul
A paper examined the effect of survey measurement error on the empirical relationship between child mental health and personal and family characteristics, and between child mental health and educational progress. There was a strong tendency for observers to understate the problems of older children and adolescents compared with expert diagnosis.
Source: David Johnston, Carol Propper, Stephen Pudney, and Michael Shields, Child Mental Health and Educational Attainment: Multiple observers and the measurement error problem, Working Paper CWP27/11, Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jul
A paper said that 8 per cent of people in Europe (and 10 per cent of those who were middle-aged) took antidepressants each year. The probability of antidepressant use was greatest among those who were middle-aged, female, unemployed, poorly educated, and divorced or separated. The adjusted probability of using antidepressants reached a peak – approximately doubling – in people's late 40s: this was consistent with, and provided a new and independent form of corroboration of, recent claims in the research literature that human well-being followed a 'U-shape' through life.
Source: David Blanchflower and Andrew Oswald, Antidepressants and Age, Discussion Paper 5785, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jun
An annual report presented the findings of a survey of attitudes towards mental illness among adults in England. The percentage of people agreeing that 'mental illness is an illness like any other' increased from 71 per cent in 1994 (the first year this question was asked) to 77 per cent in 2011 – although this figure had changed little in recent years.
Source: Attitudes to Mental Illness: 2011 Survey Report, NHS Information Centre
Links: Report | Summary | MHF press release | Mind press release | Rethink press release | Time to Change press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined whether the prevalence of common adult mental disorder had increased over time. In men, a significant increase in common mental disorder occurred between the cohort born in 1943-1949 and that born in 1950-1956: but prevalence in subsequent cohorts remained largely stable. More extended increases in the prevalence of sleep problems and mental disorders were observed in women, but not consistently across cohorts or measures.
Source: Nicola Spiers, Paul Bebbington, Sally McManus, Traolach Brugha, Rachel Jenkins, and Howard Meltzer, 'Age and birth cohort differences in the prevalence of common mental disorder in England: National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys 1993-2007', British Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 198 Issue 6
Links: Abstract | RCPsych press release
Date: 2011-Jun
A report examined the influences on well-being in childhood – including family, parenting, schools, and housing/built environment. It considered whether enough was being done to promote mental well-being and tackle emotional and behavioural problems early in life, and looked at the cost of not doing enough in those early years.
Source: William Bird et al., Thinking Ahead: Why we need to improve children's mental health and wellbeing, Faculty of Public Health
Links: Report
Date: 2011-May
A report said that the social and economic cost of mental health problems in Scotland had reached £10.7 billion per year – an increase of nearly one-quarter on figures from 2004-05.
Source: Michael Parsonage, What's It Worth Now? The social and economic costs of mental health problems in Scotland, Scottish Association for Mental Health
Links: Report | SAMH press release
Date: 2011-Apr
A report examined evidence on the relationship between obesity and mental health. There were bi-directional associations between mental health problems and obesity, with levels of obesity, gender, age, and socio-economic status being key risk factors. The mental health of women was more closely affected by overweight and obesity than that of men.
Source: Mary Gatineau and Monica Dent, Obesity and Mental Health, National Obesity Observatory
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined local leaders' perceptions of public mental health and well-being. Local leaders considered mental well-being to be an increasingly important priority: but they struggled with a lack of shared understanding among key stakeholders.
Source: Public Mental Health and Well-Being: The Local Perspective, NHS Confederation
Links: Report | NHS Confederation press release | NMHDU press release
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the family finances of parents with mental health problems. The onset of mental health problems in parents could cause financial problems associated with employment, benefits, debt, and housing: but financial problems in these areas also caused and further exacerbated mental illness.
Source: Cash Counts: The impact of mental health problems on family finances, Family Action
Links: Report | Family Action press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A think-tank report examined the interim findings of research into the causes and effects of poor mental health, particularly as experienced by certain groups. High levels of family breakdown were a key factor in the 'rising tide' of mental illness. Despite significant improvements in mental health services under the former Labour governments (1997-2010) there was still too much bureaucracy, risk aversion, and ineffectiveness in mental health services. Services needed to be more flexible, family-based, and community-oriented.
Source: Mental Health: Poverty, Ethnicity and Family Breakdown – Interim policy briefing, Centre for Social Justice
Links: Report | Summary | CSJ press release | Family Action press release | Guardian report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2011-Feb
An article examined the literature on the impact of the 'Troubles' on mental health in Northern Ireland. More substantial political change was needed to effectively address societal division, inequality, and stigma.
Source: Gavin Davidson and Gerard Leavey, 'Promoting mental health in Northern Ireland: addressing division, inequality and stigma', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 9 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined evidence relating to the mental health benefits of intensive engagement with creative and cultural activities, and considered the strategic implications for cultural organizations.
Source: Mark O'Neill, 'Cultural attendance and public mental health – from research to practice', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 9 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the links between civil justice and mental health outcomes. People with poorer mental health were more likely to report 'difficult to solve' civil law problems, but less likely to act to resolve them. The report suggested a low-level intervention to improve awareness of legal rights, and a more ambitious approach that put legal support squarely within the commissioned services of primary care.
Source: Laura Bradley, Legal Support as Enhanced Treatment? Bringing public health and civil justice together, Strategic Society Centre
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined barriers to political participation facing people in Europe who had mental health problems and/or intellectual disabilities.
Source: The Right to Political Participation of Persons with Mental Health Problems and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, European Agency for Fundamental Rights
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
A survey examined the state of people's mental well-being in European Union countries. It also investigated what help and treatment people had sought to ameliorate any mental health conditions they had experienced; and how comfortable people felt about interacting with those with a mental health problem. People reported generally feeling more positive than negative about their mental well-being. Those with the most negative experiences were those for whom life was more socio-economically difficult.
Source: Mental Health, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined the factors that influenced community mental health and well-being, based on a study of a low-income community in east Glasgow (Scotland). It considered how to develop partnerships to address the issues involved.
Source: Neil Quinn and Hannah Biggs, 'Creating partnerships to improve community mental health and well-being in an area of high deprivation: lessons from a study with highrise flat residents in east Glasgow', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 9 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the state of girls' and women's mental health. Of those surveyed, more than 3 in 5 (63 per cent) felt that low-level mental health problems – depression, stress, and low self-esteem – had had a negative effect on their lives. Women with mental health problems were frequently not getting the right kind of help: 29 per cent had never sought professional help, and 63 per cent felt that doctors were too ready to prescribe drugs to treat low-level mental health problems.
Source: Women Like Me: Supporting wellbeing in girls and women, Platform 51 (formerly Young Women's Christian Association)
Links: Report | Platform 51 press release | Telegraph report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Jan