Two-thirds of Britons with depression get no treatment

[Northerner]

If these figures related to cancer patients the nation would be in uproar, says new president of Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Less than a third of people with common mental health problems get any treatment at all – a situation the nation would not tolerate if they had cancer, according to the incoming president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

While the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has pledged to deliver "parity of esteem" for mental and physical health services, the treatment gap is now so huge that it may prove impossible to bridge in the current financial climate, said Professor Simon Wessely of King's College London in his first interview since election to the post.

"People are still routinely waiting for – well, we don't really know, but certainly more than 18 weeks, possibly up to two years, for their treatment and that is routine in some parts of the country. Some children aren't getting any treatment at all – literally none. That's what's happening. So although we have the aspiration, the gap is now so big and yet there is no more money," he said

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/13/two-thirds-britons-not-treated-depression

Do you know what makes me sick? The empty words spouted by the government whenever they are confronted with things like this

 

[bill hopkinson]

Less than a third of people with common mental health problems get any treatment at all – a situation the nation would not tolerate if they had cancer, according to the incoming president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Forgive me, but this sounds like a psychiatrist touting for more work, rather than an argument about use of resources.

 

[Northerner]

...Forgive me, but this sounds like a psychiatrist touting for more work, rather than an argument about use of resources.

Well, perhaps a bit cynical Bill? 🙂 It is an important point - people hear about restrictions on cancer treatments and there is a furore, but people are dying because there simply aren't the resources to treat mental illnesses, it is very much a 'second class' illness. What is the point of waiting 6 months or more to get help with an issue that, just as much as a physical illness, needs prompt attention? It would appear to me (and there are many stories on this forum to support the situation) that there is more than enough work for mental health professionals, they don't really need to drum up extra trade.