mental health

Bringing together physical and mental health
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The case for change: summary of key facts and figures
Patient outcomes
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People with severe mental illnesses die 15–20 years earlier on average than the
general population, largely as a result of poor physical health (Brown et al 2010).
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Depression and anxiety disorders lead to significantly poorer outcomes among people
with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other long-term conditions (Katon et al
2005; Jünger et al 2005; Blumenthal et al 2003; Lespérance et al 2002).
System pressures
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People with mental health problems use significantly more unplanned hospital care
for physical health needs than the general population, including 3.6 times the rate of
potentially avoidable emergency admissions (Dorning et al 2015).
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Use of unplanned hospital care is particularly high when social deprivation is also
present, indicating the role that social inequalities play in exacerbating barriers to
access among people with mental health problems (Dorning et al 2015).
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Poor management of medically unexplained symptoms adds to pressures in primary
care; these symptoms account for up to 30 per cent of all GP consultations (Kirmayer
et al 2004).
Financial costs
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Between 12 per cent and 18 per cent of all NHS expenditure on long-term conditions
is linked to poor mental health and wellbeing – between £8 billion and £13 billion in
England each year (Naylor et al 2012).
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Medically unexplained symptoms are estimated to cost the NHS around £3 billion
each year (Bermingham et al 2010); the evidence suggests these costs are separate
from and additional to costs related to co-morbid mental health problems or long-term
conditions (Barsky et al 2005).
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Perinatal mental health problems cost the NHS an estimated £1.2 billion for each
annual cohort of births (Bauer et al 2014).
The case for change: 10 areas where integration is needed most 43