Mental ill-health is ‘biggest cause of disability’ – new City report reveals

A newly released report flags mental ill-health as the largest cause of disability in the UK.

This year’s Public Health Annual Report for the City shows mental ill-health makes up nearly 23% of the UK’s disabled population.  

The report highlights the alarming link between mental ill-health and physical health as it recommends a series of actions to improve the health and wellbeing of Stoke-on-Trent’s 260,000 population.  

Improving mental wellbeing is a priority as the city begins an ambitious transformative journey to improve prosperity across all communities through investment and regeneration initiatives, as well as social initiatives such as the Council’s Get Active campaign.  

Statistics within the report show there is much work to be done with the city presently having lower levels of life satisfaction, higher prevalence of mental ill-health conditions, and higher rates of suicide compared to the national average – and worsening over the last decade.  

For example, between 2020 and 2022, there were 16 suicides per 100,000 people in Stoke-on-Trent compared to 10.3 per 100,000 in England during the same period.  

People diagnosed with depression in the city was 18.6% in 2022/23, higher than the national average of 13.3%. 

Figures show the city has high levels of poverty, obesity, long term sickness, social isolation, poor housing and poor educational attainment, factors which seriously affect levels of mental wellbeing.  

A total of 67.1% of over-18s are overweight or obese, slightly higher than the national average at 63.8%. 

The number of economically inactive adults, due to long term sickness, is 39.6% compared to the national average of 25.4%. 

The Public Health Annual Report has now made nine recommendations, three to residents, three to all communities and three to Stoke-on-Trent City Council. 

The recommendations include asking partners to sign-up to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health; further strengthening of our support of the Loneliness Partnership, and work to highlight and raise awareness of local organisations and events that help and support people with mental ill-health.  

Stephen Gunther, Director for Public Health at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Mental wellbeing is essential to overall health and we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering a culture where it is valued as much as physical health. 

“The report shows we have lots of work to do to improve health and wellbeing across the city, but we are committed to doing this, working with our partners and raising awareness of how important mental health is in relation to physical health.  

“The statistics paint a bleak picture but at the same gives us the direction we need to improve the lives of everyone who lives here.” 

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, added: “Mental wellbeing affects every aspect of our lives, from personal relationships and workplace productivity, to societal stability, and economic progress. 

“This year’s Public Health Report highlights the ways to help and support mental wellbeing, reduce stigma and ensure access to quality care for all.” 

As well as the Council’s nine recommendations to improve health and wellbeing, the report advocates the NHS ‘Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing’.  

These are: 

• connecting with other people 

• physical activity 

• learning new skills 

• giving to others; and  

• paying attention to the present through mindfulness.  

For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/ 

Alternatively, there are details of many support services on the council’s website: https://www.stoke.gov.uk/info/20010/adult_care_and_wellbeing/377/support_services 

The link between financial stability and mental ill-health is a well-known factor and the council is currently running a campaign to help anyone who needs help and support with paying for food, energy, or who has problems with debt. For information and support from the #helpisathand campaign visit: www.stoke.gov.uk/helpisathand 

To access the full Public Health Annual Report (2023/2024) visit: https://www.stoke.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2582/director_of_public_health_annual_report.pdf

For more about the Council’s Get Active campaign to encourage people to get out and about and exercise, visit: Get Active | Stoke-on-Trent