mental illness prevention

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Introduction

Prevention is better than cure, as the old saying goes. There are many well-publicised strategies about prevention of physical health problems and how to ensure physical wellbeing, but we know that mental wellbeing is equally as important.

What we already know

Whereas treatments for mental illness are targeted at specific conditions, the prevention of mental illness is aimed at everyone. Mental and physical wellbeing are unavoidably linked and physical illness is known to increase the risk of mental illness, with NICE estimating that 20% of individuals with a chronic physical health problem are likely to have depression (1).

From a young age, we know there is a social inequality in the distribution of mental illness, with children from the poorest households having a three-fold greater risk of mental illness than children from the richest households (2). We also know that low educational level, unemployment, debt and social isolation in older people are associated with higher frequency of mental disorders.

A 2011 report (3) evaluated a range of interventions aimed at preventing mental illness during various stages of life, particularly focussing on the potential cost reductions of these interventions. Some were aimed at early intervention in high-risk groups, but successful interventions aimed at the general population included:

  • School-based Social and Emotional Learning programmes are cost-saving for the public sector and reduce healthcare burden and costs associated with criminality in later years
  • Low-cost interventions in primary care offer good value for money in reducing alcohol-related harm
  • Reducing mental health problems resulting from debt (individuals who initially have no mental health problems but find themselves having unmanageable debts within a 12-month period have a 33% higher risk of developing depression and anxiety-related problems compared to the general population who do not experience financial problems) by using a range of debt advice interventions
  • Befriending of older adults leading to a reduction in depressive symptoms

Areas of uncertainty

There are many studies looking at specific interventions to reduce the impact or development of mental illness in those who are already unwell, but we have yet to find many effective interventions to prevent mental illness in the general population. Studies have made initial suggestions, e.g. higher fish consumption is associated with a reduced risk of depression or that social media may have a role in suicide prevention but causal relationships are yet to be determined.

What’s in the pipeline

Research is ongoing in many different areas and aimed at a diverse range of groups within the general population. We know that social factors are some of the toughest to address and take the longest to change.

ROAMER (A Roadmap for Mental Health Research in Europe), a project funded by the European Commission, aims to “create a coordinated roadmap for the promotion and integration of research in mental health and well-being across Europe” and one if its main objectives is to inform the public about the importance of mental health and wellbeing research. The project has predicted that estimated returns of £1 investment could be as high as £10.27 (for early screening) or £17.97 (for mental disorder prevention).

References

  1. NICE (2009) Depression in Adults with Chronic Physical Health Problem: Treatment and Management. London: NICE.
  2. Royal College of Psychiatrists. No health without public mental health: the case for action.
  3. Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention: The economic case. Knapp, McDaid, Parsonage (eds.). DoH/Centre for Mental Health

Acknowledgement

Written by: Josephine Neale
Reviewed by:
Last updated: Sep 2015
Review due: Sep 2016

Our mental illness prevention Blogs

No evidence that medication can prevent PTSD in people exposed to trauma, according to new Cochrane review

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In his debut blog, Richard Meiser-Stedman explores a recent Cochrane systematic review which finds no evidence for the use of medication to prevent the onset of PTSD in people who have been exposed to a traumatic event.

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The global burden of disease from mental disorders remains high

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Alejandro Arguelles Bullon summarises the latest Global Burden of Disease study (2019) looking at the prevalence, incidence and impact that mental disorders have on our lives, which shows no reduction in the burden over the last 30 years.

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Oral health self-care behaviours in people with a serious mental illness

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This review of the of oral health self-care behaviours in people with serious mental illness (SMI) included 33 studies. Most of the included studies (18) were cross-sectional and a mjority (20)were considered to be of weak design.

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Age at onset of mental disorders: global meta-analysis provides data for targeting effective interventions

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Dona Matthews summarises a comprehensive global meta-analysis that presents our best current knowledge on the age of onset of various mental disorders. This review has major implications for our mental health promotion and prevention efforts.

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Psychotherapy and antidepressant tapering can help people at risk of depression relapse, but more evidence needed before we can provide personalised treatment

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Jessica Scaife reviews a individual patient data meta-analysis exploring the continuation of antidepressants versus sequential psychological interventions to prevent relapse in depression.

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Do suicide awareness campaigns reduce stigma and increase help-seeking?

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Cara Richardson reviews a Dutch study exploring the impact of a suicide prevention awareness campaign on stigma, taboo and attitudes towards professional help-seeking.

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Psychotherapies for suicide and self-harm in young people: join our tweet chat #YouthSuicidePrevention

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Laura Hemming summarises a review on the comparative efficacy and acceptability of psychotherapies for self-harm and suicide in young people, which highlights continued uncertainty in the field.

Join our tweet chat at 9am BST on Monday 24th May to discuss the future of #YouthSuicidePrevention research!

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Mental disorders start early and vary across the lifespan: it’s time to pay attention to the whole person, and less to the diagnosis #IoPPNfestival

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In her debut blog, Dona Matthews reviews a longitudinal cohort study by Caspi and Moffitt which explores how mental disorders and comorbidities have affected over one thousand people in New Zealand across four decades.

This Dunedin birth cohort study research will be presented by Prof Terrie Moffitt at the #IoPPNfestival later today.

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Online support for people with suicidal thoughts: what do users think?

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Laura Caven reviews a recent qualitative study that looks at what people think of the online support that is available from charities and other organisations for people with suicidal thoughts.

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What can we do to support the mental health of frontline health and social care workers during the pandemic?

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Nikki Nabavi reviews a mixed methods systematic review that looks at interventions to support frontline health and social care staff during and after a disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic.

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