Statement 3

• How has improved diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses increased the number of people with mental illnesses?

  1. Easier access to a range of support and treatments e.g. GP, who can prescribe medication and/or refer them to a specialist for counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

  2. GPs get more training on how to recognise mental illness in adults and children

  3. Support services e.g. children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) which can provide a diagnosis and treatment, therefore more people are coming forward to receive support

  4. Waiting lists are long
• How has COVID-19 increased the number of people with mental illnesses?

  • Attributed to factors such as social isolation, economic uncertainty, fear of the virus, disruptions in routine and limited access to mental health services
  • Heightened stress, anxiety and depression - this exacerbating existing mental health illnesses and leads to the emergence of new mental health illnesses
  • Concerns about the long-term mental impact of the pandemic continue to be a significant issue
• How has the cost of living crisis increased the number of people with mental illness?

  • Exacerbates mental health issues by causing stress, anxiety and financial strain, which increases the risk of developing mental illnesses like depression and anxiety disorders
  • People struggle to afford necessities, it can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair
  • Job losses means less income, and costs of food, housing and utilities rise faster than wages
  • Financial pressures reduce the likelihood of individuals from seek ing or accessing proper mental health care
• Short term effects of drug or alcohol abuse


  1. Insomnia

  2. Loss of control

  3. Impaired judgment

  4. Disorientation
• Long term mental health problems from drug abuse


  • Paranoia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Aggression
  • Hallucinations
  • Addiction
• Drugs that can lead to long term mental health problems


  • Cocaine
  • LSD
  • Ketamine
  • PCP
• Long term mental health problems from alcohol abuse


  • Depression
  • Personality changes
  • Alcohol use disorder
• Alcohol use disorder


  Some individuals find themselves with an incessant need to drink
• Less stigma


  • More people coming forward for help - records more accurate and higher
  • More likely to seek professional help - less likely to be embarrassed or worried about judgment
  • People are much more educated about mental health through campaigns *e.g. 'Minding your Head' campaign* - run by the PHA, this reduced stigma and more people were more aware about how mental illness affects an individual s life
  • A number of celebrities shared stories about their mental illnesses and talked about the ways they get help - helping normalise health issues and encourage people to seek necessary help
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)


  A mental health condition caused by exposure to a traumatic event or frightening experience
• Traumatic events/frightening experiences that can cause PTSD


  • Sexual assault
  • War
  • Natural disasters
  • Accidents
  • Threat of death to oneself or a loved one
• Symptoms of PTSD


  • Feelings of anger
  • Shock
  • Fear
  • Guilt
  • Anxiety
• Factors that increase susceptibility to PTSD


  • Past depression or anxiety
  • Little support from family and friends
• There could also be a genetic component to PTSD