South London Mental Illness: Over 4,000 More Diagnosed A Year Since 2015

A total of 4,138 more patients received treatment for mental health by the NHS in south London last year compared to 2015, new data reveals.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust had 27,965 patients diagnosed with a mental illness in 2019 and 23,827 five years earlier.

More than one in five patients last year were in their thirties, the most prevalent age range followed by those in their forties and 15 percent of patients were aged between 18 and 24. 

The highest diagnosed illnesses were “mood disorders”, with 4,871 patients being treated for conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder. 

The data was sourced via a Freedom of Information request submitted by the media literacy charity The Student View.

In-person treatment has been restricted due to people being instructed to stay at home to avoid spreading the Covid-19 virus.

The Trust has set up a temporary Crisis Assessment Unit as an alternative to hospital emergency departments, based at Maudsley Hospital in Denmark Hill and Ladywell Unit in Lewisham.

Lewisham Council has shared tips for its residents who are struggling with their mental health during this time.

David Bradley, chief executive at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said:

“These are unprecedented times and we have to act fast and find solutions to protect our vulnerable patients during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“As a result, our staff have worked tirelessly to create two dedicated Crisis Assessment Units for our patients because it means they can access support quicker, be less at risk of being infected, or spreading the virus, and it helps give acute trusts the capacity to deal with general patients.

“We know that many of our service users are currently self-isolating at home and the circumstances we find ourselves in will be adversely impacting their mental health. 

“We cannot underestimate the impact this outbreak will have on our patients and carers. It is our duty to do everything we can to support people with mental illness experiencing a crisis, which is in no doubt going to be exacerbated by concerns around coronavirus.”