Mental health problems affect approximately 1 in 6 adults in the U.K. at any given time, but less than one percent of the population suffers from severe mental illness. Suicide is now the most common cause of death in those under 35 years. The rate is declining, but more than 4000 people commit suicide in England every year. People who suffer from severe mental illness have a higher risk of taking their own life. There needs to be a whole set of systems in place that allows someone with a mental health problem to live independently and support themselves in society.
Issues here are Housing.
Employment and employment retraining. Community Support, from the mental health team. Crisis Support and intervention is vital, there should be a telephone service manned twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, including all holidays. There must also be more information given to the public with regards to mental health. The media seems more concerned with scare stories than addressing the real issues of mental health.