Mental health in the UK is at a low ebb
In a recent global survey, dated April 2024, the UK was ranked the second worst country for mental health out of a total of 71 countries that took part. The survey was carried out by Sapien Labs which is a non profit organisation that was founded in 2016. The survey found that in the UK approximately 35% of the population are struggling or distressed with their life, which was the joint worst score.
Countries such as Ukraine, currently at war, were included in the study so this makes the UK’s position even more concerning. The figures are an indicator which provide an explanation for the increasing demand on GPs for medication such as anti-depressants and sleeping medication.
The links between alcohol and poor mental health
We have noticed at The Haynes Clinic that there has been a very significant increase in the number of people being admitted for an alcohol dependency who have seen their GP and been prescribed an anti depressant for their low moods or depressive episodes. In these cases, the fact that alcohol could well be the cause of the problem is not being taken into account – maybe because the GP is not asking or being told about the amount of alcohol being consumed. It could simply be that the consumption of alcohol is negatively affecting their life and that is the main cause of the depression. In these cases the addiction needs addressing.
Also, they may have just as well have been prescribed Polo mints as anti depressant medication does not work in conjunction with alcohol. So the individual will think they should be feeling better as they have now been prescribed medication but they progressively continue to feel more depressed, as the medication is not working, and a high percentage may become suicidal. This could also be the case for someone who may not have an alcohol addiction but drinks a sufficient amount on a daily basis for the medication not to work.
The risks of taking and stopping taking anti depressants and other mental health medication
There has even been a recent case where prescribed medication was indicated as being a contributing factor in a high profile death – that of Thomas Kingston who was married to Lady Gabriella (nee Windsor). The inquest heard that he had been prescribed the anti depressant Sertraline, and also Zopiclone to help him sleep, after being stressed at work. When the Sertraline did not seem to be working he was prescribed another anti depressant, Citalopram. The senior coroner for Gloucestershire stated that “his death was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had begun, and subsequently stopped, taking in the weeks leading up to his death.”
No prescribed medication should just be stopped without medical advice. This is because the body (including the brain) has got used to receiving the daily dose and ,if suddenly stopped, there can be repercussions on our wellbeing. The effect on the body and mind potentially will be different for everyone. Prescription medication may well need to be tapered off slowly. This should be discussed with the prescribing GP or, in some cases, there may even be the need to be admitted in to the safety of a residential rehab unit to receive a prescription medication detox.
The importance of talking therapy in conjunction with medication
Indicators show that, whilst an increasing number of people are being prescribed medication to help with their mental health, there are also a very significant number that are not coupling the medication with being able to discuss, via therapy, the problem or problems that are causing them distress in the first place. Therefore medical care is made worse by a lack of staff who can provide good, ongoing quality mental healthcare. Although funding for mental health services has increased over the last few years, the number of people trying to access services has increased by far more and the numbers of qualified staff needed to help with this increase in demand has not risen.
Research has shown that medication on its own is not nearly as effective as medication plus therapy. The medication, will temporarily “put a plaster” on the situation but, used alone, it is not the answer in the long term as nothing is getting mentally resolved. Our body over time becomes tolerant to any medication and that time is different for everyone, depending on weight, age and gender so in time either our mental health condition improves or we will require an increase in the daily dose of medication. A very successful combination is medication and sessions of talking therapy – such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – which will generally be far more effective than either treatment alone. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps to change unhelpful or unhealthy ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. It is an effective way of treating depression and anxiety.
It is usually easier to talk to a stranger rather than a close friend or family member. Therapy can be carried out face to face (preferably) or via Skype calls and the aim of the therapy is to help the individual feel better and to find a way forward with their life.