Minister pledges radical action on mental health

26 Oct 10
Care service minister Paul Burstow has promised the public health white paper will include a ‘ground-breaking’ strategy for mental health, focused on early intervention.

By David Williams

 26 October 2010

Care service minister Paul Burstow has promised the public health white paper will include a ‘ground-breaking’ strategy for mental health, focused on early intervention.

Burstow said today: ‘The government is clear that there is no health without mental health – that is why we will publish both a public health white paper and mental health strategy that will break new ground.

‘If the right action is taken early in people’s lives, it’s possible to make a big difference. The right support at the right time can help people realise their potential, cope with adversity and hold down a job.’ He added that this was good both for the individual and society as a whole.

Burstow’s comments came after the Royal College of Psychiatrists called for mental illness to be placed at the heart of government health policy, detailing the cost to society of inadequately treated conditions.

In a paper released today, titled No health without public mental health: the case for action, the RCP said the government needed to adopt new policies on mental health issues. It recommended: minimum alcohol pricing; an ‘evidence-based’ approach to drugs; and targeting interventions at those at high risk, such as homeless people and children in care.

RCP president Professor Dinesh Bhugra said mental health problems the ‘single largest’ cause of disease. He said: ‘Historically, government public health strategies have concentrated on physical health and overlooked the importance of both mental illness and mental wellbeing.

‘Strategies to improve the health of the nation will be effective only if they address mental health and wellbeing as well.’

The RCP report said depression doubled the risk of coronary heart disease, while people with mental disorders smoked almost half the tobacco in the UK.

The report also found that people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder die an average of 20 years earlier than the general population, while the poorest children are three times more likely to suffer mental ill health than the best off.

 

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