10,000 new depression cases in Lothians blamed on crunch

THE number of people suffering depression in the Lothians has risen by almost 10,000, with the credit crunch being blamed.

Latest figures show that, up to the end of March, nearly 9 per cent of the population in the Lothians had been diagnosed depressed by their GP. That is a rise of more than 1 per cent, and coincides with the recession across the UK.

Now health experts and politicians are warning that the problem will only get worse as families' struggles with employment and finances continue.

The Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH) recently carried out a study which revealed people who have been affected by the credit crunch are eight times more likely to suffer depression than previously.

Chief executive Billy Watson said: "SAMH's recent research report, Crunch Time for Scotland's Mental Health, found that people who had been affected by the recession were up to eight times more likely to have sought treatment for mental health problems for the first time.

"We're seriously concerned that Scotland's mental health services are facing cuts just when they are most needed. The government must act to ensure that services exist to help those who have lost their jobs or are facing financial problems."

Figures released by NHS Lothian under Freedom of Information showed there were 77,000 people over the age of 18 diagnosed with depression last year. That compares to 68,000 the previous year, with the population of the Lothians at more than 800,000.

Conservative Lothians MSP Gavin Brown said: "These figures are concerning and the increase means we are moving in the wrong direction. My fear is that with the recession deepening and with more jobs being lost, these figures could continue to rise.

"However, it is our duty to ensure the level of care we provide for people suffering from mental health issues is appropriate, of a high standard, and that patients are treated with dignity.

"There must be a greater focus on early diagnosis and early intervention, with treatment and support made available for stress, anxiety, and depression.

"These steps can help to prevent the condition becoming more severe and enduring."

The Evening News revealed earlier this year that £10 million has been spent in the last two years on depression-fighting pills locally.

GPs are now considering alternative ways of helping those with mild to moderate depression.

This includes regular exercise and therapeutic reading.

Medics have been criticised in the past for being too quick to prescribe anti-depressants instead of working with the patient to find a better solution.