A recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals a significant decline in mental health across England and Wales since the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, over half of the 900,000 increase in disability benefit claims among working-age adults is due to mental health issues. Additionally, ‘deaths of despair’—including those from alcohol, drugs, and suicide—have risen by 24%, resulting in approximately 3,700 additional deaths in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels. The report also highlights a 36% increase in individuals accessing NHS mental health services since 2019, with antidepressant prescriptions up by 12%.
Read the full article: National Health Executive