Source: Xinhua
03-02-2009 17:10
Special Report: Global Financial CrisisLONDON, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Britain has been warned of a 26-percent increase in the number of people experiencing mental health problems by 2010 as a direct result of Britain's economic crisis.
MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS TO INCREASE
The recession started to bite the country in October 2008 and has affected many sectors, leading to the closure of thousands of businesses with resultant job losses.
Some British health staff said that more and more patients were expressing feelings of anxiety and depression brought about by the recession.
Dr. Timothy Bland, a member of the British Medical Association, said that many people in the construction industry and electricians came to him with stress caused by the current economic climate.
"They are worried about the lack of work and it is manifesting itself in the form of increased stress and illness levels," he told Xinhua, noting that "some are experiencing depression and sleep disorders or insomnia."
Many city workers are also affected by the recession with increased stress levels, though "this is often the case amongst people in the financial sector," Bland said.
Also in many parts of the country, house repossessions are forcing many people onto the streets or into less than suitable accommodation, which poses a health risk on the people.
"Levels of illness will increase if people don't have a roof over their heads," he explained.
"Stress will increase amongst the dispossessed and as the standard of living for such individuals drops they will be less able to feed and cloth themselves."
Britain has seen the worst housing situation in 12 years. The number of homebuyers who lost their properties soared by 55 percent during 2008 to 40,000, according to statistics released recently by the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
In 2009 the number of repossessions is estimated to reach at least 75,000. It is a situation fueled by rising unemployment, which is forecast to exceed 3 million by the end of the year.
