Statistical sources
1 in 4 adults in England have been diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime
The Health Survey for England found in 2014 that one in four people reported having been diagnosed with at least one mental illness at some point in their lives. However, a further 18% said they’d experienced an illness but hadn’t been diagnosed, and more people may have been experiencing an illness without disclosing due to stigma.
Nearly 40% of all ill-health is caused by mental illness (for under-65s)
“Mental illness accounts for nearly 40% of morbidity.”
Centre for Economic Performance (2012), How mental illness loses out in the NHS
1 in 3 families include someone with a mental health problem
“Even with our narrow coverage at least one third of all families (including parents and their children) include someone who is currently mentally ill.”
Centre for Economic Performance (2012), How mental illness loses out in the NHS
Mental ill-health has the same effect on life expectancy as smoking
“Mental illness has the same effect on life-expectancy as smoking, and more than obesity.”
Centre for Economic Performance (2012), How mental illness loses out in the NHS
People with serious mental illness die on average 20 years earlier
“People with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia die, on average, 20 years earlier than the rest of the population.”
People with mental health problems are three times more likely to develop diabetes
“People with mental illness are three times more likely to develop diabetes and twice as likely to die from heart disease.”
At least a third of children whose parents have mental health problems will experience mental ill-health themselves
“Parental mental illness is associated with increased rates of mental health problems in children and young people, with an estimated one-third to two-thirds of children and young people whose parents have a mental health problem experiencing difficulties themselves.”
Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2012, Our Children Deserve Better: Prevention Pays
The economy in England loses about £100bn a year to mental ill-health
“Mental illness costs the country as much as £100 billion each year through lost working days, benefits and treating preventable illness.”
gov.uk, Mental Health Taskforce announced
At least a fifth of police time is spent supporting people with mental illness
“Estimates vary, but we were given a range of between 20% and 40% for the amount of police time which involved a mental health element.”