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Drugs dominate response to mental health problems

Too many people who visit their GP with mental health problems are being offered drugs as the only option, according to the mental health charity Mind which has launched a campaign for more choice.

A snapshot survey by the charity of 178 people who recently saw their GP with mental health problems has revealed that 98 per cent were prescribed medication although only one in five requested it. More than half (54 per cent) felt they had been offered too little choice and of those who tried alternative treatments one in three had had to ask for – and often pay for – these themselves.

Respondents to the survey rated their top five alternatives to medication as counselling, group therapy, art, music or drama therapy, psychotherapy and aroma-therapy. Yet nearly half of GP practices do not have counselling services attached, the charity says. It points out that prescriptions of antidepressants have more than doubled in the last 10 years.

A spokesperson for Mind acknowledged that antidepressants had proved effective for many people with depression, although there were now reservations about their long-term effects. However, drugs had become a ‘quick fix’ in many cases.

She said: ‘We are not trying to just damn the case of drugs. They do work in lots of cases. But people using these services with mental health problems are experts in their own condition and we want to see a lot more consultation between doctors and patients to get the services that are just right for them.’

One Mind campaigner, actor Johnny Hoskins, trained as a masseur with a grant from the charity after himself experiencing mental distress. He said: ‘I am not completely against drugs but I think they should be the last resort. For me, holistic therapies, stress relief and preventive medicine is very, very important.’

Mind is sending information on the ideal range of services which should be available through GPs to all primary care trusts. It is asking anyone who wants to become involved in its campaign, ‘My Choice’, to email action@mind.org.uk. There is more information on the Mind website: www.mind.org.uk