Depression and anxiety posing a major public health challenge

 

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Reducing the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD), such as depression and anxiety, is a "major public health challenge", according to a recently published NHS information survey.

Common mental health disorders are defined by the NHS report as including different types of depression and anxiety, which cause substantial emotional distress. The research found that nearly one person in four (23 per cent) in England had at least one psychiatric disorder and 7.2 per cent had two or more disorders, suggesting that mental health issues are more common than generally perceived.

Middle aged women and mental health

The survey, 'Adult Psychiatric Morbidity in England, 2007', also found that mental health issues are on the rise among middle-aged women. It revealed that common mental disorders have risen around 20 per cent in 15 years in women aged between 45 and 64.

The stress of balancing work with family commitments and facing increased financial pressures are possible factors in this increase. Experts also point to the changing role of women in recent years.

"This particular age group was probably reared by their stay-at-home mothers and they are almost certainly now working mothers, who face the financial pressure of being part of a two income family," Dr Peter Byrne, director of public education at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, pointed to the struggle of coping with a large number of responsibilities. "These women are finding it increasingly difficult to balance home and work - and many are being put under stress because they have to care for parents with dementia," he said to the Daily Mail. He added that there is often an "emptiness" felt with women of this age, "and mothers get lonely when their kids go off to university".

It is not just women in the UK that are experiencing a rise in mental health issues. Women in the United States are also reporting increasing emotional and mental stress with the enhanced pressures from a global economic crisis. Findings from the American Psychological Association's 2008 Stress in America survey show that when compared with men, a higher percentage of women say they are stressed about money, the economy, job stability, housing costs and health problems affecting their families.

The need for change

The prevalence of mental health problems in today's society reflects the urgent need for mental health to be treated as a serious issue. However, despite the high incidence of depression, stress and anxiety, the findings show that these issues often remain undiagnosed and only a quarter (24 per cent) of people with a CMD were receiving treatment for an emotional or mental problem. The report also found that the majority of that treatment is with medication, whereas many experts now advocate the use of taking therapies and exercise as a way of treating such issues.

"The fact that so many are suffering without help is appalling, as most mental health problems respond well to treatment," Dr McCulloch said in response to the findings. "People also need to be offered alternatives to medication, which is still more readily available on prescription than other treatments including talking therapy and exercise therapy," he commented.

Following the report, The Mental Health Foundation has voiced a need for government to turn its attention more readily to mental health: "Mental ill health warrants greater attention to lessen the burden it brings on individuals, families and society," Dr McCulloch said.  He compared the issue to other public health campaigns, suggesting that to help prevent mental health problems "the government needs to prioritise the promotion of good mental health in the same way it encourages healthy eating and exercise. People need to know how they can look after their mental health."

 

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