Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

One in ten suffering mental health crisis not getting NHS help

The charity Mind says thousands are left alone and vulnerable the week after leaving hospital for mental health care

One in ten people departing hospital after mental health care are not getting any visits or phone calls the week after leaving, according to new figures from mental health charity Mind.

The charity’s Freedom of Information requests of mental health trusts in England has revealed that every year at least 11,000 are not receiving NHS check-ups after leaving hospital or specialist facilities – putting them at greater risk of suicide.

“Thousands of people with mental health problems in England and Wales are not getting the appropriate follow-up when they are first discharged from hospital,” said Sophie Corlett, director of external relations at Mind. “This is not good enough. It is a tragedy that so many people so very recently leaving the care of hospital are losing their lives.”

Current guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) state all patients should be contacted within seven days, and recommends some people should receive immediate follow-up – within 48 hours. Mind wants the NHS to check up on all patients within 48 hours of them leaving hospital.

These figures paint an alarming picture of a system under intense and increased pressure.

Previous research by Mind discovered that those who were not followed-up were twice as likely to attempt suicide, and a third more likely to self-harm.

Recent evidence from the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide shows of all patients who died in the first week after discharge, the highest number occurred on day three.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Introducing RORA Jobs and Training

Whether you’re in work, currently unemployed, or worried about your future job security, Big Issue RORA Jobs & Training is here to help. Search our latest jobs, register for alerts, browse training courses and find your next role today.  

Find out more

“We know that a person who is released from hospital after a mental health crisis is most vulnerable in the days directly following discharge,” said Dr Paul Brown, Royal College of Psychiatrists.

“These figures paint an alarming picture of a system under intense and increased pressure. It is absolutely vital that we see money promised by the Government going to the frontline.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

READER-SUPPORTED SINCE 1991

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Recommended for you

View all
Should stamp duty be scrapped?
Kemi Badenoch
Stamp duty

Should stamp duty be scrapped?

Yo-yo Homes 'indefensible' and highlight broken system, MPs say after Big Issue's Right to Buy exposé
housing secretary Steve Reed with a red line over his face next to a block of flats
Right to Buy

Yo-yo Homes 'indefensible' and highlight broken system, MPs say after Big Issue's Right to Buy exposé

Older workers are turning to Botox and plastic surgery to keep their jobs: 'What a depressing thought'
An older person having plastic surgery examination
Employment

Older workers are turning to Botox and plastic surgery to keep their jobs: 'What a depressing thought'

If people don't trust climate science, how will we ever get them to change their ways?
Climate crisis

If people don't trust climate science, how will we ever get them to change their ways?