A new report says that mental health problems in England cost a staggering £300 billion a year.
That’s almost double the entire budget of the National Health Service (NHS), which is the public healthcare system in England.
The report looked at the whole picture of how mental illness affects people’s lives, businesses, and the government. This includes the cost of treatment, lost productivity from people being unable to work as effectively, and the impact on people’s well-being.
The report found that the biggest burden falls on the people with mental health problems and their families, who face costs of £175 billion a year. Businesses lose out on £101 billion due to things like staff turnover and reduced productivity. The public sector picks up the remaining £25 billion.
This isn’t a new problem, but it’s getting worse. The report shows that the cost of mental health problems has gone up by 40% in the last 20 years. Experts say that cuts to government support programs and rising inequality are partly to blame.
The report calls on the government to invest more in mental health services. They say that this would not only improve people’s lives but also save money in the long run.
In the meantime, mental health workers are facing their challenges. A separate report says that many specialist mental health support centers for NHS staff have been closed. This is making it harder for staff to get the help they need.