Around one person in six adults in England had at least one common psychiatric disorder with women more likely to experience common psychiatric problems than men, and the peak ages being between 25 and 54 for men, and 16 to 34, and 45 to 54 for women. Only around a quarter of those with a common mental health condition were receiving treatment for their condition. Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and affective disorder, are also more common in younger age groups, with the peak age being 35 to 44 for both men and women. (Psychiatric Morbidity Survey of Adults, 2007). Within Devon, 44,900 persons were registered with depression at their GP practice, and 6,300 persons were registered with a serious mental illness (Quality and Outcomes Framework, 2015). The anxiety and mood disorders indicator from the Indices of Deprivation 2010 shown in figure 9.21 below highlight the pattern of mental health needs across the population, highlighting particular concentrations in Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Bideford, Tavistock, Exeter, Kingsbridge, Teignmouth, Dawlish, and Newton Abbot. Poor parental mental health can have a detrimental effect on the health and development of children, leading to an increased risk of mental health problems for the children themselves. The prevalence and age distribution of common mental health problems highlight the need for a family focus in adult mental health services, and also the need to increase access to treatment. Figures 9.22 to 9.27 show the estimated prevalence of selected mental health problems across Devon, which is closely associated with deprivation.
Figure 9.21, Indices of Deprivation 2015, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Indicator, Devon areas in the top 10%, 25% and 50% in England
Source: Indices of Deprivation, 2015
Figures 9.22 to 9.27, Estimated prevalence of selected mental health problems by LSOA, 2014
|
Mixed Anxiety and Depression  |
Generalised Anxiety Disorder  |
|
Depressive Episode  |
Low Happiness Score  |
|
Low Worthwhile Score  |
Low Life Satisfaction Score  |
Source: APMS 2007, ONS Wellbeing Survey and Devon Public Health Intelligence Team, 2016
There are four self-reported wellbeing measures in the Public Health Outcomes Framework, relating to how satisfied people are with their life, how worthwhile they think the things they do in their life, how happy they are, and whether they feel anxious or not.
Table 9.4, Self-Reported wellbeing measures in Devon compared with the South West and England, 2014-15
| Measure | Devon | South West | England |
| Low satisfaction score | 3.2% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Low worthwhile score | * | 3.9% | 3.8% |
| Low happiness score | 6.3% | 8.8% | 9.0% |
| High anxiety score | 18.9% | 18.8% | 19.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics Integrated Household Survey, 2015
* not available for Devon
Around 80 deaths per annum are registered as suicide or injury undetermined (open verdict), with a direct age standardised rate of 10.4 per 100,000. This was above the South West (10.1), local authority comparator group (9.6) and England (8.9) rates. Whilst year-on-year variations are seen, rates in Devon have typically remained around or slightly above the national rate. Differences by sex are notable, and tend to be low and stable for females and higher and more variable in males. Suicide rates are highest for people in the 40s and 50s and are relatively low for persons in their teens and 20s.
Figure 9.28, Deaths from Suicide or Injury Undetermined by Sex, Direct Age Standardised Rate per 100,000 population (aged 15 and over), 2001-2003 to 2012-14
Source: Primary Care Mortality Dataset, 2014
The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme is an initiative to increase the availability of treatments for depression and anxiety disorders. Figures 9.29 shows the rate of persons finishing an IAPT course of treatment for local CCGs by age, with both CCGs above the England average and South Devon and Torbay particularly high. Figure 9.30 reveals that both CCGs have remained above the England level in recent years although falls on high levels in 2013-14 were seen in South Devon and Torbay. Figure 9.31 reveals the pattern of IAPT referrals at a community level in Devon, highlighting that the highest rates were in Newton Abbot, central parts of Exeter, Cranbrook and Barnstaple, with lower levels in predominantly rural areas in West, Mid and East Devon.
Figure 9.29, Improving Access to Psychological Treatment, Referrals finishing a course of treatment per 1,000 population aged 18 and over by broad age group, 2014-15
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015
Figure 9.30, Improving Access to Psychological Treatment, Referrals finishing a course of treatment per 1,000 population aged 18 and over, 2012-13 to 2014-15
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015
Figure 9.31, Improving Access to Psychological Treatment, Referrals to treatment, Direct age standardised rate per 100,000 by LSOA, 2015
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015