Rise in calls for help with mental health

Rise in calls for help with mental health

“Unfortunately, one in five people will experience depression at some point in their lives, an illness which causes intense feelings of continuous sadness and hopelessness”

mental health head_in_hands_depression_flickr_martin_sharmanPeter Cannon

MORE than 250,000 anti-depressants have been handed out to patients in Loughborough and the surrounding villages over the last five years.

And in Loughborough, over the same period of time, 136 people have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The figures have been supplied by West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (WLCCG), which commissions local services on behalf on the NHS.

It shows that there has been a rise in the number of people accessing help for mental health problems such as anxiety and depression as well as the number of patients being sectioned under the Mental Health Act for their own safety.

Dr Peter Cannon, GP Principal at Bridge Street Medical Practice in Loughborough for 16 years and Clinical Lead for Mental Health, told the Echo: “Unfortunately, one in five people will experience depression at some point in their lives, an illness which causes intense feelings of continuous sadness and hopelessness, together with physical effects such as sleeplessness, loss of energy and concentration or physical aches and pains.

“I would urge people to seek help for depression or a mental health illness by speaking with their doctor, in the first instance, who will set them on a path to recovery.

“Exercising regularly, socialising, taking up a hobby, not drinking too much alcohol and maintaining a healthy diet can also have a positive effect on people’s mental health.”

From 2010/11 (April to March), there were 51,473 Anti-depressant Drugs handed out in North Charnwood, which includes Loughborough, Shepshed, Barrow-upon-Soar, Quorn, Sileby and Mountsorrel.

In 2011/12 54,615 drugs were handed out, in 2012/2013 (59,452) and in 2013/14, 67,576 anti-depressants were prescribed.

For this financial year, the recent figures from April 2014 to October 2014 show 44,126, but the financial year is not yet complete.

However, the WLCCG says it must be borne in mind that not all anti-depressant drugs are used to treat just depressive disorders and mental health problems, some are also licensed for use in treating conditions such as neuropathic pain and migraine.

In Loughborough, in 2010, 19 people were sectioned under the Mental Health Act, in 2011 (31), 2012 (28) 2013 (26) and in 2014 (32).

Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan, who is looking at setting up a mental health cafe in the town, told the Echo: “Mental health has always been seen as the poor relation in overall NHS spending. We spend an awful lot of money on cancer and heart disease.”

Mrs Morgan says she hopes the cafe can be a drop-in centre for people and their families, like bereavement and cancer groups, where they can discuss their problems.

“The cafe is to help with recovery,” she added.

 

Credit:  Loughborough Echo

 

 

 

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