Responding to the publication of the independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, BMA mental health lead Dr John Moore said:
"Too many people of all ages are in mental distress and, as the report illustrates, the substantial rise in mental health problems is not due to greater awareness alone. The message is clear: the current trajectory is not sustainable. We need tangible action to improve mental health, including a vital focus on preventing avoidable distress and earlier intervention - for the benefit of all in our society.
“A population with good mental health is essential to a functioning society. It influences all aspects of a person’s professional and personal life, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, communities and healthcare systems.
“For years, doctors have warned that the current mental health system is broken and unfit for purpose. Mental healthcare is under huge pressure while demand outstrips what can be delivered. Waits for assessment, diagnosis and treatment are far too long, and this is made worse by a lack of workforce to provide multidisciplinary care, compounded by high turnover and poor staff retention. In England and Wales, psychiatry has the highest number of consultant vacancies out of all the medical specialties.
“We need to improve care for all types of mental illness, from milder conditions to the most severe. As the Fonagy report states, those with severe mental illness continue to experience some of the poorest outcomes in society, and improving care for this group must remain a priority. The report recognises inequalities in the experience of mental ill health – for example, the prevalence of common mental health disorders is significantly higher in the most deprived areas. It also notes that mental distress falls disproportionately on people experiencing deprivation, discrimination and disadvantage, and interacts with ethnicity, disability and geography.
“Mental health, like all other aspects of health, is significantly influenced by the conditions in which people live, grow, work and age. The report rightly recognises that change requires Government to tackle the social, economic and environmental context that shapes mental health. To achieve this, all parts of the healthcare system must work together, with investment across healthcare and wider public systems, including public health, primary care, secondary services, schools and community services. Many of the Fonagy report’s findings won’t be achievable without significant investment, including to address workforce shortages. No single part of the system can solve this in isolation.”
Ends.
Notes to editors
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.