Mental health
Mental health and wellbeing are both areas that have been previously marginalised and neglected. This relates to the historical stigma and lack of understanding attached to mental illness.
Mental health problems are more common than most people realise. At any one time, one in six people may be suffering from a mental health problem. Mental health, physical health and social well-being are interlinked and cannot be considered in isolation. Whilst good mental health is a key factor in successful psychological and social functioning, poor mental health has been associated with poor socio-economic status, poor educational outcomes, high crime levels, unemployment and poor quality of life.
Poor mental health and stress related illnesses affect economic productivity, costing the economy nationally £77 billion a year. The South East has the highest rates of sickness absence in the country, of which mental illness and stress related illnesses are the largest factors.
This page provides access to regional data (determinants, prevalence, morbidity, mortality) and reports on mental health and wellbeing. In addition, it offers signposting to important national policy documents, data sources, and key organisations.
Below are resources relating to mental health which have been organised at both a regional and national level.
Key resources
Disease groups - Mental health - Regional key resources
Disease groups - Mental health - National key resources
Key national policy documents:
For further information you may wish to visit the following websites:
Last review Nov 2009.