Should the NHS provide better mental health treatment options for depression?
It's World Mental Health Day - a global campaign that aims to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world.
This year the campaign is focused around depression and its impact on the workplace – people are being encouraged to create workplaces that encourage good mental health and provide support for those struggling with depression.
There’s never been a more important moment to talk about mental health; this year the World Health Organisation revealed depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide.
Mental health problems have always been a challenge because they can’t be seen – unlike a broken bone that appears clearly in an x-ray, treatment for mental health is complex and multi-faceted. There’s no one solution and it often involves a combination of ongoing therapy, lifestyle changes, medication and more.
We’re lucky that in the UK, mental health services are free to access with the NHS. But the system is overloaded and struggling to cope with the demand and financial impact of people increasingly needing access to these services. Referrals can take months and the most serious issues are prioritised by necessity.
To pick up the slack, people are going private where possible, workplaces are trying to help, and mental health charities are stepping into the fray to help more people understand and cope with mental health issues.
Many have called to direct more resources towards mental health so more people have access to counselling, arguing better mental health would save money in the long haul because people would be happier and healthier not just mentally, but physically too.
Today at Speakers Corner we’re asking: should the NHS provide better or more comprehensive health treatment options? Should these be prioritised over treatments for other diseases like dementia and cancer? Share your thoughts with us below.
