The Daily Telegraph

Cost of living crisis takes toll on nation’s mental health

- By Daily Telegraph Reporter

THE cost of living crisis “poses a threat of pandemic proportion­s” to the nation’s mental health, the head of the Royal College of Psychiatri­sts has said.

Dr Adrian James said pressure on the NHS could reach unpreceden­ted levels as people try to cope with the rising price of food, fuel and other essentials.

Last month, Rishi Sunak unveiled a £15billion package to help the most vulnerable manage, but ministers have said they cannot help everyone.

Dr James said there was a £300million “black hole” in mental health funding caused by inflation, as he called for a cash injection into services.

Addressing the Rcpsych Internatio­nal Congress in Edinburgh, he said that “food insecurity, fuel poverty, debt and the loneliness and isolation that come with it, are a hard reality for millions of people”.

He added: “Much like with the pandemic, those already living with a mental illness are more likely to suffer the consequenc­es of the looming economic downturn, which will be felt for years to come.

“We must be ready to offer them the specialist, high-quality care we know can make a difference.”

Dr James called for “a cash boost of £300million to match inflation and deliver the investment package promised in the NHS long-term plan”.

Figures show mental health referrals hit record levels of 4.3million last year in England, as 1.4 million people wait to

‘Those with a mental illness are more likely to suffer the consequenc­es of the looming economic downturn’

start treatment. Dr James said the extra £300million needed could be partly taken from the recently announced £1.5billion for local systems, but more funding will be needed next year.

“NHS staff are continuing to make personal sacrifices to help their patients, having worked tirelessly for two years,” Dr James said.

However, he added that “funding for mental health services needs to be prioritise­d as we’re being called upon to overcome yet another unpreceden­ted challenge”.

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