11 October 2007

Talking Therapy On The NHS

Credit where credit's due. Labour has announced an extra £170 million in new funding for "talking therapy" -- non-drug psychological therapy to address the mental health crisis in Britain.

6 million of us (1 in 10) suffer from depression or anxiety. There are more mentally ill people on incapacity benefits than the total number of unemployed people on benefit. Only 18% of those with mental health problems are in work, the lowest employment rate of all disabled groups. Only a quarter of those who are ill are receiving any treatment – in most cases medication.

Therapy can be as effective as drugs, and often more successful in the long-term. Under the plans, over the next four years, all GP practices will have access to nondrug treatments.

Lord Richard Layard, co-author of the London School of Economics Depression Report, said: "This is great news and just what we have all been waiting for. Mental health is the biggest social problem in our country. This new service will bring relief to millions."

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