The true cost and impact of mental ill health

The true cost and impact of mental ill health

It’s time we all woke up to the true cost and impact of mental ill health, says EAPA chair as new report reveals an estimated cost of £105 billion a year in England

Stark statistics in an insightful new report have estimated that every year in England, the cost of mental ill health reaches £105 billion, with one in four people experiencing mental health issues.

EAPA chair, Eugene Farrell, has welcomed the publication of the first ever Social Impact Report produced by Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA). 

MHFA came to England in 2007 with the aim of improving public mental health. Its first Social Impact Report is intended to celebrate its 12 years of history, with the organisation now planning to produce a report each year. 

A Community Interest Company (CIC), MHFA provides training via its Instructor Training programme licensed by Mental Health First Aid International. 

Once trained, MHFA’s instructor members deliver training across the country. Since 2009, 400,000 people have been trained in mental health  awareness via MHFA. 

Included in the Social Impact Report are further alarming statistics revealing the true picture – and cost – of mental ill health in England: 

• 15 people a day took their life in 2017 (54,874)
• It’s estimated that many more attempted suicide
• Despite a quarter of the population experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition each year, 70-75 per cent of those with a diagnosable mental illness receive no treatment at all

EAPA chair Eugene Farrell says: “The new Social Impact Report produced by MHFA certainly makes sobering reading – although there is plenty to inspire and offer hope within its pages too. 

“As chair of an organisation which is championing mental health wellbeing in the workplace, I certainly support the excellent work being done by MHFA to provide training for thousands of people so they are equipped to help those who are going through tough times. 

“EAP’s are perfectly placed in the workplace to provide the additional support needed and it’s important that mental health first aiders understand what an EAP is and how to signpost someone for assessment and support. It’s also important that the first aiders themselves are properly supported and managed so that they do not become overwhelmed by their role. 

“I echo what MHFA have said in their report: that we all have mental health, and we need to learn to recognise when others – and we ourselves – are struggling. The stigma that has long existed over depression and other mental health issues needs to be addressed and we need to learn to listen more, without judgement.

“I welcome this new report and I hope that when organisations read it they will wake up and realise that employees’ mental health wellbeing is just as important as their physical health. Proper mental health help, delivered by skilled professionals, is the only way that we can start to drive down these worrying statistics. Once more organisations begin to realise this, we can all work together to save lives.”

You can have a read of the first MHFA Social Impact Report here, or see this YouTube video for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRCdgXGlig.