Research indicates that adults with severe mental illness are at a significantly higher risk of dying from serious physical diseases before the age of 75. According to an analysis of NHS data by the Rethink Mental Illness charity, individuals with severe mental health issues are nearly five times more likely to die earlier than their peers, primarily due to preventable physical conditions.
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The study shows that adults under 75 who suffer from serious mental health problems are 6.3 times more likely to die from liver disease, six times from respiratory illness, 3.8 times from cardiovascular disease, and 2.3 times from cancer. Furthermore, they are 14.6 times more likely to die by suicide compared to those not referred to specialist services. Overall, adults with severe mental health conditions are 4.8 times more likely to die before age 75 than the general population.
For working-age adults, deaths from cardiovascular disease and cancer have reached their highest levels on record, with over 24,000 deaths attributed to each during the 2022-2024 reporting period. Cancer and cardiovascular diseases accounted for nearly 38% of all deaths in this demographic, while respiratory disease and liver disease accounted for 11% and 8%, respectively. Suicide made up 7% of these early deaths.
The report highlights several factors contributing to this increased mortality, including poverty, inadequate housing, higher smoking rates, weight gain from medications, physical inactivity, and fragmented healthcare. A significant issue identified is "diagnostic overshadowing," where physical symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to mental illness, leading to missed opportunities for proper investigation and treatment.
These findings emerge just before the government's independent review concerning mental health, autism, and ADHD, which is anticipated to advocate for a more integrated approach to patient care. Mark Winstanley, chief executive of Rethink, emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that it is unacceptable for individuals with severe mental illness to face such high mortality rates from preventable health issues. He called for prioritizing physical health checks and improving access to informed interventions.
In response, Prof. Subodh Dave, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, asserted that severe mental illness should not correlate with early death. He underscored the availability of effective solutions, such as smoking cessation programs and routine health checks, but noted the need for decisive action to prevent premature deaths.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the health inequalities faced by individuals with severe mental illness, promising significant changes to enhance their physical health outcomes. Plans include developing a new service framework, opening 100 new community mental health centers, and refining the mental health strategy to create a more integrated support system.