Stressed-out adults are finding it hard to get the help they need, according to a new report.
Stressed-out adults are finding it hard to get the help they need, according to a new report.
Nearly 60% of those questioned in the study think the NHS could do more to tackle mild to moderate mental health problems.
And new research commissioned as part of the Healthy Minds study from Norwich Union Healthcare reveals that there is a ‘postcode lottery’ when it comes to mental health provision across the country.
According to the research, the availability of specialist mental health services on the NHS – such as psychotherapy and counselling – is determined by where you live. And in some parts of the country such services are not available at all. While in others the length of time patients wait for treatment can vary substantially with the average waiting time of five months for a psychotherapist and over eight weeks for a counsellor.
The national survey of services was commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare as it launches a national initiative to help people get the best support for mental health conditions. It has created an online information guide – Services for a Healthy Mind – as part of its www.personalhealthmanager.co.uk website.
The Healthy Mind study also reveals that two thirds of people questioned think that counselling or psychological services should be provided within two weeks of referral, and 86% say they’d worry about their condition worsening if they had to wait a long time to see a specialist.
Jim Thomson, chief executive of leading UK charity Depression Alliance, says: "Long waiting times can be incredibly discouraging for people who are at the end of their tether and who are facing a five month wait before they can even begin to address their problems."
But, he adds: "Having said that, there have been improvements in provision in some areas over the last few years and it’s also important that people are able to take responsibility for their mental health issues – whether it’s by educating themselves about the services available or, when appropriate, pushing for improved access to these services in their area."
Despite the fact that one in four adults in the UK suffers from mental distress, the survey also reveals the stigma of mental health problems is preventing people from getting help. A third of those questioned wouldn’t tell their boss if they were suffering from a mental health condition, and over half of those say it’s because they fear it would affect their career prospects.
60% of people say they’d turn to their family for support compared to a third who’d look to their GP and over four in five think people are generally too embarrassed to admit there’s a problem.
Dr Doug Wright, clinical development manager at Norwich Union Healthcare, says: "Despite increasing levels of mental health problems people still feel unable to ask for help when they need it, and are relying on friends and relatives to support them at times of emotional crisis.
"Our Guide to Services for a Healthy Mind aims to give people the opportunity to educate themselves on what services are available in their local area, or beyond, and how they can help. This may well help in the process of demystifying mental illness and removing the stigma that’s often associated with it, and encourage people to trust a professional to provide support when they’re feeling emotionally vulnerable."
The Norwich Union Healthcare Healthy Minds study also reveals:
- 16% would go to a friend for help with a mental health condition while just one per cent would use a counsellor or psychiatrist – or tell their boss
- A third of people say they either know someone who is, or are themselves suffering from, a mild to moderate mental health condition
- Men are more likely than women to keep quiet at work because they fear it will affect their career
- 17% of those questioned say they’ve sought help or advice from a healthcare professional for mild anxiety, depression or stress; this rises to 29% of people in Wales and the South-West
- While more women than men have sought help on mental health issues like mild depression, panic attacks or anxiety, men are more likely to have visited their GP regarding dependency on prescribed or illegal drugs, or alcoholism
Roger Taylor, research director of Dr Foster, which collated the data for the online resource, said: "Mental health services have previously suffered from the ‘Cinderella’ effect and not had the priority they deserve. But, this is changing, as the Government has embarked on a Ł300m programme of modernisation to improve access to effective treatment and care, reduce unfair variation, raise standards, and provide quicker and more convenient services. Nobody doubts there is a lot of work to do."
The new online Guide to Services for a Healthy Mind from Norwich Union Healthcare, offers the facility to search for mental health service provision in the UK, either by postcode or by specific service. It also provides a comprehensive glossary of mental health problems and the different therapies available as well as series of practical resources such as a Stress Counselling Helpline, and information and tips on coping with stress.
The service is free online at www.personalhealthmanager.co.uk. Part of the website includes research into the provision of services provided by primary care organisations for adults with mild to moderate mental health and alcohol problems.
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Media contacts:
Jo Misson or Charlotte Ruddlesdin at QBO Bell Pottinger on 020 7861 2424. Lorna Wiltshire at Norwich Union Press Office on 01904 723236 or 07788 471849
Notes to editors:
Journalists wanting a limited free trial for Personal Health Manager, please visit www.personalhealthmanager.co.uk and log in as a first time user with the access code: C216468C6. Once you have logged in, this code will allow you to trial Personal Health Manager as a registered user from now until 31 March 2004*. DO NOT PUBLISH THIS ACCESS CODE – IT IS FOR JOURNALIST USE ONLY.The Guide to Services for a Healthy Mind research was commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare and carried out by Dr Foster in July 2003.
Omnibus research was commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare and carried out by TNS among 1000 UK adults on 19th – 21st December 2003.
1 in 4 people will be affected by mental illness at some point in their lives. The Mental Health Foundation, data derived from Goldberg, D. & Huxley P. Mental Illness in the Community, 1980. Also Goldberg, D. ‘Filters to Care’ in Indicators for Mental Health in the Population. Jenkins, R. & Griffiths, S. (ed), The Stationery Office, 1991
About Norwich Union Healthcare
- Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products that cover over 750,000 lives. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- Norwich Union Healthcare is a member of the General Insurance Standards Council, the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
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About Dr Foster
- Dr Foster is the leading independent authority on healthcare quality in the UK. It publishes information which is accessible to the general public and provides information analysis to the professional healthcare community.
- An independent Ethics Committee with substantial powers to enforce editorial and research integrity oversees the organisation.
- Further information is available at www.drfoster.co.uk
About Depression Alliance
- Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people with depression. We work to relieve and to prevent this treatable condition by providing information, support and understanding to those who are affected by it. We also campaign to raise awareness amongst the general public about the realities of depression.