£400m impact of mental health on West Sussex (From The Argus)

£400m impact of mental health on West Sussex

3:30pm Friday 2nd October 2009 in

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The impact of mental Health on West Sussex could be as high as £500 million a year, according to researchers.

Recruitment agency Paritas has published a report into the cost of mental health on the economy, welfare provision and health care to mark World Mental Health Day.

The project was backed by West Sussex County Council and Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, which provides mental health services across the county.

One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime and during a period of sickness a financial cost can be placed on the system.

For businesses alone, researchers believe the cost is likely to be nearly £400 million.

The report says that during a time of recession there is a real need to enable employers to keep their existing staff well, in work and performing.