The Government has announced plans to increase spending on NHS mental health services, introduce new suicide prevention strategies, establish early support hubs and increase the number of NHS mental health staff. But it’s clearly too late.
NHS psychiatrists say people in crisis are often waiting days for a bed and are discharged early, which can lead to higher readmission rates. General practitioners have very little time with patients, given the complex cases with many problems stemming from “financial problems, housing problems, lack of social support, lack of community preparedness.” Properly assessing and treating patients is “almost impossible”. People with anxiety and depression can wait months before receiving any kind of support.
Deep cuts to the public sector are exacerbating Britain’s mental health crisis, especially after the pandemic and as the cost of living comes under pressure. Researchers at the University of Liverpool concluded last year that cuts by local authorities to cultural, environmental and planning services such as parks and libraries are associated with more people having worse mental health. , the researchers argued that this point has often been “neglected” in broader debates about public sector cuts. .
Over the past decade, around 800 libraries and 800 playgrounds have closed across the country. Last year, a coalition of charities and think tanks called on ministers to improve the nation’s deteriorating mental health, take further action on junk food, smoking, alcohol and gambling, end the “hostile environment” immigration policy and protect children. fight against poverty.
