Thousands of depression cases 'linked to universal credit'

[Northerner]

A study has linked a spike in mental-health problems among the unemployed with the rollout of universal credit and other government welfare changes.

The number of unemployed people with psychological distress rose 6.6% between 2013 and 2018, it suggests.

And this represents an extra 63,674 people in England, Wales and Scotland - 21,760 of whom became clinically depressed over the period.

The government highlighted the study found no causal link.

'Mounting evidence'
Prof Dame Margaret Whitehead, of the University of Liverpool, who co-authored the Lancet Public Health Journal study, said it had found "observational associations" rather than "cause and effect".

The spike in mental-health cases could also have been influenced by the broader range of welfare changes, she said.

Thousands of depression cases 'linked to universal credit'

The number of unemployed people with psychological distress rose 6.6% between 2013 and 2018, a study suggests.

www.bbc.co.uk

Whatever the cause, no government's task should be to oversee an increase in depression If they are dismissive of the link, then what work are they doing to determine the cause? (I think I know the answer to that one )

 

[mikeyB]

But are they unemployed because of their depression, or are they depressed because they are unemployed?

That’s the trouble with raw data, doesn’t tell you anything useful.

 

[Northerner]

But are they unemployed because of their depression, or are they depressed because they are unemployed?

That’s the trouble with raw data, doesn’t tell you anything useful.

I imagine if you are unemployed because you are depressed then the punitive welfare system is unlikely to improve your situation

 

[Drummer]

My grandson was accepted for grammar school - he won't be going because my son is so concerned about the effect of changing to universal credit - he is carer for his wife, who is disabled after a botched operation.
It is not the fees, as a bursary was offered, but all the incidental costs, and the bus fares - they just can't risk it.