The mental health challenge

Mental illness is everywhere

1 in 4 adults in England have a mental illness
38% of all ill-health is caused by mental illness (for under-65s)
1 in 3 families include someone with a mental health problem

It can turn lives upside down

Mental ill-health has the same effect on life expectancy as smoking
People with serious mental illness die on average 20 years earlier
People with mental health problems are three times more likely to develop diabetes

And it affects our whole society

At least a third of children whose parents have mental health problems will experience mental ill-health themselves
The economy in England loses about £100bn a year to mental ill-health
At least a fifth of police time is spent supporting people with mental illness
Statistical sources