RCPsych comments on interim findings of independent prevalence review

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The interim findings of an independent review into the prevalence of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions have been published by the UK Government.

Responding to the interim report, Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:

“We welcome the Review’s findings which recognise the rising prevalence of common mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. There is good evidence that financial insecurity, housing insecurity, unemployment, deprivation and discrimination all increase the risk of people developing these illnesses. It is therefore unsurprising that there are growing waiting lists challenging an already overstretched mental health workforce.

“We are concerned that people who potentially have neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD and autism, are increasingly being diagnosed in educational settings or self-diagnosing because the system that should be there to help them is overwhelmed. They should be able to access support which can prevent their condition from deteriorating at much earlier stages from more appropriate social services, as well as assessments and care from professional ADHD and autism services when needed.

“Building on the findings of the interim report, we must make the most of this opportunity to offer improvements to the system, including the provision of community social support and early intervention, that we know can reduce distress and improve outcomes, particularly for those with more common mental disorders like anxiety and depression and neurodevelopmental conditions.

“To support the Chair's work, the College has disseminated the Independent Review’s survey to its members which aims to better understand the trends in prevalence and the impacts on clinical practice.

“We must take this opportunity to remember that people with severe mental illnesses such as bipolar illness and schizophrenia still face the largest treatment gaps - prevalence for this cohort has remained relatively stable, yet too many do not receive diagnoses and the right help for years. Year on year, investment into mental healthcare has reduced. Despite being 20% of the health need, the mental health share of NHS spending has been cut again and now stands at 8.4%. The chronic underinvestment and lack of prioritisation of mental healthcare has resulted in insufficient capacity to meet the needs of those with mental illness as well as the erosion of services and standards, resulting in too many people not receiving the much-required care, support and treatment they need to help them get well, stay well and stay safe.”