Women under 50 most likely to seek depression help
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Nearly two thirds of British people seeking help for depression are women, NHS figures have revealed, and the under-50s are the most likely to look for advice or treatment.
According to figures compiled by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, almost 475,000 women were referred for 'talking therapies' last year, compared to only 274,000 men.
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Of those women who received counselling or behavioural therapy in 2013, three quarters were under the age of 50, and those in their 20s were the most likely to seek help for their depression problem.
The figures back up findings from last month's NHS annual health survey, which revealed that almost a quarter of women in the UK are depressed or anxious, but experts are unsure whether it is down to women being more susceptible to depression, or just that they are more willing to seek professional help and advice.
Beth Murphy, from the mental health charity Mind, told the Daily Mail: "All the signs suggest that more and more people are seeking help for mental health problems.
"Prescriptions for antidepressants have been rising steadily and recently topped 50 million for the first time, while the numbers of people contacting organisations like Mind for help are also increasing."
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Ms Murphy, who urged anyone struggling with anxiety, stress or depression to speak to their GP, added: "We also know that people are really struggling at the moment, as unemployment, cuts to welfare and other pressures take their toll on the mental health of the nation."
Separate NHS figures recently revealed that the number of prescriptions for antidepressants handed out each year rose by 7.5 per cent on the previous year.
What do you think? Are women more prone to depression than men, or more likely to ask for help? Leave your comments below...
