Mental Health Decline Drives Rise in Deaths and Disability

Medscape March 14, 2025
Dr Sheena Meredith

Mental health in the United Kingdom has worsened significantly since COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were imposed, according to a new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The study confirmed previous findings, showing a “steady increase in reported mental health problems.”

Eduin Latimer, a research economist at IFS, warned that rising mental health issues not only affect individuals but also contribute to an increase in the cost of paying benefits.

Key Findings

The report highlighted several concerning trends. These include:

• The percentage of working-age people who reported a long-term mental health condition has risen to 13-15%, up from 8%-10% in the mid-2010s.
• “Deaths of despair” — those caused by alcohol, drugs, or suicide — rose by 24% among 15-...

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