Charity warns of a ‘mental health pandemic’

Around one in seven people in Sunderland suffer from depression, according to new figures.

MentalhealthcharityMind saidEnglandisfacinga"mental health pandemic" and called for a stronger Government approach to tackle widening inequalities in care.

Analysis of NHS estimates by the House of Commons Library shows 13.5% of adult GP patients in the city had a diagnosis of depression in 2019-20 –higherthanthe11.5%national average.

In the Hylton Red House and Marley Pots areas, 17.3% people were depressed.

Attheotherendofthescale was Sunderland Central and Deptford where 10.8% of patients were depressed.

Mind said strategic action from the Government is needed.

Vicki Nash, head of policy and campaigns at the charity, said: "This strategy must focus specifically on communities disproportionatelyaffectedby the pandemic, address wideninginequalities,sortoutanunderfunded social care system and ensure the education system supports young people’s mental wellbeing.”

NewfiguresfromtheOffice for National Statistics show one in five adults experienced depressivesymptomsbetween January and March – more than double the year before.

DrDavidCrepaz-Keay,head of applied learning at the Mental Health Foundation, said: "If we want to reduce those mental health inequalities then we have to start to prioritise actions against some of these social factors.”

The Government says it is providing an additional £2.3bn a year by 2023-24 for mental health services.

A spokeswoman added: “Hundreds of billions have been spent to help those most in need.”