The London Mental Health Fact Book About the Cavendish Square Group – a new voice for mental health in London The Chief Executives of the ten NHS Trusts that provide mental health services in London have been meeting for over a decade to discuss issues of common interest. These discussion forums have proven to be a valuable space in which to consider the complex challenges facing the mental health community in London. In early 2015, the leadership at the Trusts decided that the time had come to formalise their commitment to tackling those challenges, and the Cavendish Square Group was officially formed. We recognise that good mental health is central to the success of London’s economy and the wellbeing of its citizens. It is crucial that mental health moves up our city’s agenda; it should be seen as a priority by individuals and employers, by parents and educators, by clinicians and policy makers. We must collectively strive to better understand, better treat and better meet London’s unique mental health needs. The drive for true parity of esteem and an appropriate share of health resources between and across physical and mental health is the first step towards achieving this goal. We have identified three big challenges for mental health in London and we are committed to seeking a greater influence over these challenges: Londoners with mental health problems have a shorter life expectancy than the rest of the population and often fail to get the treatment they need. 75% of people with depression and anxiety do not receive any form of treatment at all. The equivalent figure for people with diabetes is just 8%. People with severe mental illnesses have a life expectancy 10 to 15 years shorter than someone without such an illness. We need concerted action to address these inconsistencies of care between physical and mental health. There is a clear link between a personal sense of wellbeing, job satisfaction and productivity. Having a mental health problem remains the number one labour market trigger for exclusion from the workforce. Nine out of ten people believe that disclosure of either a past or present mental health problem would damage their career. Much is already happening to tackle this issue but we need to do more to raise awareness, reduce stigma and discrimination and to get people with mental health problems into work. Half of adult mental health problems start before a person is 14 years old. It is crucial to give London’s children and young people the best start in life and to help young people who develop emotional or mental health problems. We need to have a programme of early intervention which targets the first 1000 days of a young person’s life: what happens during this formative period will have a profound effect on the child’s wellbeing and a major impact on whether they go on to develop mental health problems later in life. We must develop a programme of support for schools which helps them to build mental health awareness and enables them to access timely and effective help for young people who develop difficulties. Our city is a centre of excellence for research into mental health issues and for the development of innovative treatments and therapies. The Cavendish Square Group is determined to play its part in building upon this expertise to ensure Londoners have the best possible mental health and the best possible mental health services. 4
London Mental Health Fact Bbook
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