The report, "Indications of Public Health in the English Regions 7: Mental Health" by the Association of Public Health Observatories presents data on mental health in England and examines a set of indicators relating to deprivation and lifestyle which have been shown to impact on mental health.
Suicide rates in the region are consistent with the national average (15.7 per 100,000 population for men). However, because the South East region is densely populated compared to other areas, the region has the highest total number of suicides in the country.
Examination of some of the key indicators which impact on mental health in the region shows a positive picture:
- Employment levels and educational achievement which both have an impact on mental health are good compared to the rest of the country.
- Additionally levels of excessive alcohol consumption which is linked to mental ill health are below the national average.
- However, the number of people with mental health problems is more than would be expected from looking at key indicators.
Despite having levels of mental health problems similar to the national average, the South East region has relatively high rates of admission to hospital for depression and one of the lowest rates nationally of people receiving treatment through community mental health services.
Jo Nurse, Mental Health Policy lead at South East Public Health Group, said:
At an individual level, mental illness is one of the biggest causes of personal unhappiness in our society. Half of all women and a quarter of all men will be affected by depression at some time in their life.
This report shows that a significant proportion of people in the region - around 13% - have mental health problems. This is despite the relative affluence, good employment and educational achievement in the region. A recent report by the South East Public Health Group looked at mental health in the South East and found significant inequalities across the region. People living in more socially deprived areas had greater mental health problems.
These tend to be linked to risk factors, for example, unemployment, alcohol misuse, living in poor housing and a violent environment.
A particular concern in the South East is the relatively high rate of sickness absence compared to other parts of the country. Additionally approximately one in ten children and young people suffer from poor mental health. These are both areas that are being prioritised at regional level.
Partnership work in the South East is also focusing on promoting protective factors for mental health, for example by improving physical well being and making it easier to work for those with mental health problems.
The report is available online at the South East Public Health Observatory (SEPHO) website
