COST-OF-LIVING: Thousands of adults across North West showing signs of depression
The Office for National Statistics reveal their latest findings
Last updated 9th Dec 2022
17% of adults across the North West are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of depression, as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.
The Office for National Statistics linked the rise in depression with people struggling to pay energy bills, rent or mortgages.
Emma Kenny is a psychologist in Greater Manchester, she says: "Usually we try to look for a solution, and think what have we done wrong, and why is this happening? We haven't and that is the critical issue here. What the government needs to do is realise that we have been dealing for over a decade with horrendous poverty. One in three kids in the UK have been poor for a very long time.
"Food banks have never ever been used to the degree they have been used now. The government is doing what it always does, it's relying on charities to pick up the bills for these problems. We need to re-discover and re-define society, and that means realising that people have been placed in this position, not because they've chosen it, but because the government have allowed this to happen.
"It's about realistically acknowledging that more money needs to be given to families who are struggling, and that includes two parent working families. We need to create better support services in mental health."
We approached the Department of Health for comment, a government spokesperson said:
“We are committed to tackling the cost of living and are directly supporting households in need through a second Cost of Living Payment worth £324 and the Energy Price Guarantee, saving a typical household around £700 over winter.
"We’re investing an extra £2.3 billion per year in mental health services by 2024, which will give two million more people the help they need, and NHS England is providing an extra £10 million to support mental health services throughout the winter to deal with record demand.
“In October we launched our Every Mind Matters campaign, which empowers people to look after their mental health and includes practical advice on coping with money worries and job uncertainty."