For World Mental Health Day, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling on the Government to take urgent action to close the mortality gap between people with severe mental illness (SMI) and the rest of the population.
Adults living with SMI – such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia – have a life expectancy 15 to 20 years lower than the general population.1
The most recent NHS data reveals that 130,400 adults with severe mental illness in England died prematurely (before the age of 75), between January 2020 and December 2022.2 New analysis from the College estimates that 66% (around 86,934) were due to preventable physical health conditions such as respiratory disease, heart disease and liver disease.3
Annual physical health checks help identify early signs of physical illness in people with SMI. Despite recent progress by the NHS to expand the programme in England, further advances are needed to widen access. Only 59% of those registered with an SMI received the full set of six checks in the year to June 2024, leaving 41% at risk of missed early diagnosis and treatment.4
RCPsych is calling on the Government to increase access to physical health checks through additional services such as community health hubs, better integration between physical and mental health services and more support for marginalised groups, which services struggle to reach.
In addition, public health campaigns and initiatives, to tackle smoking and obesity for example, should be adapted to make it easier for those with severe mental illness to make positive changes and live healthier lives.
Dr Ed Beveridge, the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Presidential Lead for Physical Health, said:
“Around 120 adults with severe mental illness die prematurely every single day in England, this is totally unacceptable. These lives are needlessly cut short by an average of 15 to 20 years, often due to avoidable physical illnesses.
“A single physical health check could save a life, but hundreds of thousands of people miss out on this fundamental service each year. Reaching as many people as we can for health checks builds the foundation of lasting changes to the health of our population. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be to look after your physical health if you also have a condition such as bipolar or schizophrenia, but also how much difference some extra support can make.
“The UK Government must work with us and urgently address this terrible crisis, to ensure people with mental illness receive equal treatment to those with physical illnesses.”
References
- See UK government briefing for England: Severe mental illness (SMI) and physical health inequalities: briefing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Department of Health & Social Care. Premature mortality in adults with severe mental illness (SMI)
- It is estimated that two thirds of premature deaths among adults with severe mental illness are from preventable physical illnesses: NHS England. The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health
- NHS Digital. Physical Health Checks for People with Severe Mental Illness
- Severe Mental Illness (SMI) is a diagnosable mental, behavioural, or emotional disorder that causes serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with, or limits, one or more major life activities. An SMI can include substance use disorders, severe depression, eating disorders, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.