According to data from the Office for National Statistics, there is a significant increase in the number of individuals not working due to ill health. More than 2.5 million people are currently receiving benefits because of sickness, meaning that for every 13 employed individuals, one is on long-term sick leave. This rise, which amounts to nearly half a million since the beginning of the pandemic, has been attributed, at least partially, to the growing number of individuals experiencing mental health issues.
It is worth noting that a majority of those with mental illnesses do not receive specialized services. Instead, they are managed in primary care, which places a substantial burden on general practitioners in terms of diagnosing, managing, and treating these individuals. However, the current approach is not ideal. While some services offer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to individuals with less severe mental illnesses, the overwhelming demand has led to longer waiting times and hindered the effectiveness of treatment.
In an effort to address the escalating number of individuals on sick leave, the government has proposed encouraging GPs to refer patients to life coaches rather than signing them off work. While I support the goal of reducing the number of individuals not working due to medical reasons as it negatively impacts the economy and hampers individuals’ potential, prescribing life coaches does not seem like a viable solution.
Most people on sick leave due to mental health problems suffer from depression or anxiety, and life coaching is not a recognized treatment for these conditions. In my opinion, it is not a treatment at all. This policy appears to be the product of someone with limited knowledge of how to effectively address mental health problems.
Individuals who are unwell do not require coaching on how to live. If such guidance were necessary, numerous life coaches provide free advice on platforms like Instagram. What they truly need is proper treatment. Proposing life coaching as a solution is profoundly insulting to those who are struggling, as it implies that a few sage words of advice or motivational Post-It notes would solve their problems. This is nonsensical.
This issue highlights a larger problem in mental health treatment—an area that lacks sufficient regulation. While there are professional standards bodies, there is no requirement to belong to one in order to call oneself a counsellor or therapist. Surprisingly, anyone can claim to be a therapist or life coach without adequate qualifications.
I often worry that, in an effort to expedite treatment, GPs hire “counsellors” with limited or no qualifications. Although there are accredited training courses available, counselling is not a protected profession, allowing for individuals from various backgrounds to claim the title. Psychotherapist is also not a protected professional title. This lack of regulation creates confusion among patients seeking mental health treatment. I have witnessed individuals receiving treatment from those who lack proper qualifications or experience to handle their complex issues, often leading to prolonged suffering.
Therapy is a broad term that encompasses various forms of talk-based treatments. There are approximately 500 types of therapy, and while some may be efficient for particular problems, they may provide limited benefits for others. Psychotherapy, often used interchangeably with therapy, refers to a talk-based treatment that utilizes psychological principles to help patients. Counselling, on the other hand, is a form of supportive talk therapy and is not typically considered a treatment for mental illnesses. Instead, it offers individuals a space to explore their thoughts and emotions with a listener.
For instance, individuals suffering from severe depression may mistakenly seek counselling when they actually require evidence-based psychological treatments like CBT. Consequently, they endure months, or even years, of struggling with symptoms unnecessarily. The prevalence of unqualified or underqualified individuals offering mental health treatment exacerbates this problem.
It is important to remember that although counselling has its place, it is not a suitable treatment for severe mental health problems. The lack of regulation means there is a significant disparity in the quality of counselling services. Offering life coaching to unwell individuals is not only ineffective but also demeaning. This situation highlights the shortcomings of the mental health treatment sector.
Moving on, a new children’s book on Princess Diana addresses her battle with bulimia. While it is appropriate to discuss Diana’s struggles with mental illness in a book about her life, there is a risk that including detailed information could inadvertently plant ideas in children’s minds. It is crucial to approach these topics with sensitivity, especially when it comes to eating disorders. I have seen cases in schools where addressing one child’s eating disorder inadvertently triggers others to experiment with disordered eating, resulting in a psychological phenomenon called “contagion.” These topics must be handled delicately, striking a challenging balance.
Furthermore, TV presenter Nick Owen has opened up about his prostate cancer diagnosis and how it affected him. Prostate cancer, in particular, seems to make men hesitant to seek medical help, adding an emotional burden upon diagnosis. Men may experience discomfort with the examination process and fear the potential impotency associated with treatment. Concerns about incontinence, sexual functioning, and the impact on relationships contribute to the reluctance to get checked.
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