The NHS in England has released new data on mental health in a comprehensive report that mental health professionals have been waiting for.
What’s so important about this data?
This data tells us the story of the state of the nation’s mental health. It is one of the most robust and comprehensive sources of information that is produced in this country. This latest report supersedes the former report published back in 2014. Since then, we have been affected by the Covid pandemic, which took its toll on intergenerational mental health; the cost-of-living crisis; and, specifically for our community, the Hamas attack in Israel and the ongoing conflict situation and war. Although this survey was not conducted specifically with the Jewish community, we can think about the national picture alongside our experiences and exposure to events that may have impacted our mental health.
Common Mental Health Conditions (CMHC)
The report highlights that although more people are identifying as having a Common Mental Health Condition, more people are also seeking help for it. The increase in those seeking support has largely been among men. In the NHS’s previous survey, women were more likely than men to report receiving treatment for these common mental health conditions. However, in their latest survey, there was no longer a difference. This is good news as traditionally men are considered to be less open than women about discussing their mental health and, therefore, more reluctant to reach out. However, the data shows a different story. The survey reflects on the emerging signs that men have got better at asking for help and services are getting better at recognising and responding to their needs.
The report shows a strong link between physical illness and mental health conditions and, interestingly, this link was stronger for men than women. This may be because men are less likely to discuss how their condition is affecting their mental health.
In terms of receiving treatment for mental health, older adults are underrepresented in the data. We know from other research that older adults have a reluctance to seek help with their mental health and this is further evidenced by this report.
On the other hand, 16–24-year-olds, who had previously been underrepresented in terms of receiving treatment, are now seeking help in a way more comparable to other age groups. Previously, both the youngest and oldest age groups were the least likely to use mental health treatment. However, in the latest survey, 49.9% of 16 to 24-year-olds with symptoms reported receiving treatment.
The proportion of 16 to 74-year-olds with common mental health condition symptoms reporting receipt of treatment rose from 24.4% in 2007 and 39.4% in 2014, to 47.7% in 2023/4. Receipt of psychological therapies among those with symptoms rose from 10.4% in 2007 to 17.9% in 2023/4.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
There are interesting trends in PTSD in the new report. The proportion of women reporting a lifetime trauma increased from 31.2% in 2014 to 37.4% in 2023/4. PTSD is often a hidden condition which people may dismiss or feel too embarrassed to talk about. PTSD can include problems with sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, involuntary trembling, intrusive and
unpleasant thoughts, and preoccupations with their experience of the trauma and questioning about why this happened to them. Other people avoid any situations where they may be reminded about the traumatic event. People can become very isolated.
It is estimated that 16.2 million adults living in England experienced at least one major trauma in their lifetime.
In the Jewish community, we have been exposed to the difficult news surrounding October 7th. Some of us have over-consumed social media or witnessed harrowing images or accounts. Many Jews in England have a direct connection, either through family or friendship. Some may have direct experience of bereavement or anxiety about loved ones living in areas affected by attacks, or serving with army or other special forces in Israel.
While most of us will not be living with PTSD, it is important to be familiar with the condition as some of us may be experiencing this. Dr Shiri Ben-David from the Hadassah Hospital in Israel has conducted a survey with British Jews on their experiences post October 7th. The results will be released in a peer-reviewed journal in the future.
To see the whole report, visit https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/adult-psychiatric-morbidity-survey/survey-of-mental-health-and-wellbeing-england-2023-24
If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, visit jamiuk.org/get-support/ or contact 020 8458 2223
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