Centre for Mental Health

Cost of mental ill health in England exceeds £100 billion, new figures show

3 October 2010

The cost of mental ill health in England is now £105.2 billion a year, according to an update published today by Centre for Mental Health.

The figure includes the costs of health and social care for people with mental health problems, lost output in the economy, for example from sickness absence and unemployment, and the human costs of reduced quality of life.

The new calculation is an update of the £77.4 billion cost of mental ill health calculated by the Centre in 2003. The figure takes into account inflation since 2003 and the rising cost of health and social care.

Centre for Mental Health joint chief executive Professor Bob Grove said: "Mental ill health carries a heavy cost, especially for those who experience mental health problems and their families. It costs businesses more than £1,000 for every person they employ and has an impact on spending in every government department.

"Mental ill health is a fact of life. Every day, one in six of us experiences mental ill health, while one in 100 has a severe mental illness. It is vital that government, public services, businesses and communities respond well to mental ill health and do their bit to prevent both distress and discrimination.

"Parenting support to young families can cut the costs of conduct problems dramatically. Identifying depression at work can prevent loss of livelihood. Intervening early with children and young people in distress can have lifelong benefits and offer immediate gains in schools. And supporting people with severe or enduring mental health problems to make their own lives better can radically reduce disability and dependence.

"The Government's forthcoming mental health strategy is an opportunity to put mental health at the heart of public policy and the Big Society. By tackling the stigma of mental ill health, by intervening early and by doing what works to help people to fulfil their potential, we can cut the £105 billion cost of mental ill health dramatically and improve quality of life for all."