PHE highlights ways local areas can prevent mental ill health

Public Health England (PHE) has launched a new tool for local public health teams identifying the most cost effective mental health programmes.

The tool was developed in partnership with leading economists at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The programmes it identifies are proven to reduce the incidence and/or risk of mental health problems at all ages. Mental health problems represent the largest single cause of disability in the UK. The cost to the economy is estimated at £105 billion a year.

One of the eight initiatives PHE has launched is an innovative resilience programme ins schools that results in an estimated saving of £5.08 for every £1 invested over three years.

Alongside the tool, PHE has published several other evidence-based resources that will help local areas create effective public health systems that can prevent as well as treat mental ill health.

The tool and other resources are pivotal in moving towards a more prevention focused approach - helping those who are experiencing challenges to their mental health and helping to improve mental health within local communities.

In order to achieve this movement action is required not just from the health, social care and public health sectors but also the community and voluntary sectors to give more attention to the wider causes of mental health problems including health inequalities and wider social detriments.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive at PHE, said: “A lot of mental health illness can be prevented, this will not only improve the quality of life of the individual but also provide economic benefits by reducing the financial burden of mental ill health, which has been estimated to cost the UK £105 billion a year.

“In order to provide a truly 21st century response to this important public health issue we have to give equal attention to the prevention of mental ill health as well as treating it.”

Lord O’Shaughnessy, Health Minister, said: “Improving the nation’s mental health is a government priority.

“The tool and resources published today will give public services the evidence they need to ensure spending on mental health is as cost effective as possible.

“It is part of a broad and ambitious plan to combat mental illness, which includes the first ever access and waiting time standards and record levels of public spending on mental health provision.”