Research by the umbrella psychotherapy professional network UKCP found a massive increase in anxiety and depression among out of work people in recent years. The time period considered in the research overlaps with changes in government policy on unemployment benefits – including the introduction of harsher sanctions for those who fail to comply with an often complex and demanding benefits framework. It is this link between increases in psychological distress among unemployed people and current benefit policy that has led UKCP to call on government to suspend the sanctions regime and review the impact of its welfare policies on mental health. UKCP is also calling for greater resources to mental health services.

Further details on the research and UKCP’s proposals can be found here:
rise in psychological distress among unemployed people

In light of general election that has been called for 8 June, UKCP – the umbrella organisation for psychotherapy and psychotherapists – is calling on political parties to commit to a significant increase in funding for mental health and psychotherapy in particular. UKCP want to see an extra £1.5 billion going into the budget for psychotherapy and for that to be ring-fenced. At present psychotherapy is highly rationed in the NHS, with long waiting lists and what the UKCP’s campaign refers to as a ‘quick fix approach to care’. This often means that very short term CBT or medication rather than psychotherapy of adequate quality and depth. The problem with quick fixes is they don’t work and leave those in need stuck in a revolving door – forced to return repeatedly in an effort to obtain effective treatment.

UKCP has costed its proposals – and has produced a research briefing explaining why they are asking for £1.5 billion and what services this would provide. There has been a considerable increase in public discussion about mental health recently – which can only be good in tackling stigma. But this needs backed up by hard cash if its going to lead to meaningful change in many people’s lives. UKCP’s work is well timed and can be supported on social media, by blogging and promoting it (like this) and by directly contacted your parliamentary candidates and political parties seeking precise support.

Research by the World Health Organisation found that depression is the leading cause of ill health in the world. As we are living in a time when people worldwide – in many different circumstances – often feel powerless in the face of massive upheaval and change, it is hardly surprising that mental health is suffering.

Inequality is growing internationally and within countries – in the UK inequality has grown sharply in the last 30 years. People face uncertainty over the very basic matters of living such as jobs and education, housing security, access to good health and social care, and internationally face the consequences of wars, dislocation, lack of access to basic resources and racism and intolerance. These are just some of the social factors lie beneath the rising incidence of emotional and psychological health problems.

The article points out that ‘even in high income countries, nearly 50 per cent of people with depression do not receive treatment and drugs prescribed are often ineffective’. In Britain, despite some increased media profile to mental health, government pledges to improve provision and the introduction of the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) programme, provision of psychodynamic psychotherapy of any significant duration via the NHS is woeful. Data from 43 health trusts showed that ‘funding for mental health services fell by 8 per cent between 2010 and 2015’. This drive to cut costs must surely be part of the worrying push towards remote and computerised systems for delivery of so-called mental health provision.

A research report from the Samaritans provides evidence of what may seem an obvious point – the relationship between inequality and risk of suicide. Research shows that people living in the most economically deprived areas are much more likely to be at risk of suicide and are also much less likely to access mental health support, or be referred for specialist services if they do seek help. At a time when economic hardship is increasing significantly, the report represents yet another call to action to address both inequality and access to good psychotherapy and emotional support services.

The Institute of Psychotherapy and Disability promotes access to psychotherapy for learning disabled children and adults. The IPD promotes good practice – including basic awareness that learning disabled people can make good use of psychotherapy, particularly if practitioners are trained to listen and communicate appropriately and well. In thinking about how important this work is, the current social context is important. The public sector cuts that have been ongoing now for several years have had a specific impact on disabled people and on attitudes to disabled people. A United Nations inquiry concluded that austerity measures represented violations of the human rights of disabled people. The same report noted that a climate where disabled people were represented as lazy and a burden was accompanied by rising hostility and aggression directed at individuals. The consequences for emotional and psychological health are clear. The IPD’s work is as relevant now as ever.