We are already seeing the effects and consequences of the cost of living crisis. One of these consequences is our mental health, and we are seeing more people than ever struggle with their mental health due to the cost of living.
In fact, employers are now seeing more people go off sick with mental health issues than ever. 61% of employers who were surveyed by NHS Providers stated that they have seen a sudden rise in staff sickness, which they believe is down to mental health issues linked to the cost of living [1].
The same study found that trust leaders at the NHS are also now seeing a huge rise in mental health presentations at hospitals up and down the country due to stress and depression caused by the mental health crisis [1].
This has huge implications on the rest of society, and will contribute to a whole host of issues such as a strain on the NHS, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and a rise in demand on local services such as social services [3]. In fact, the London School of Economics found that mental health issues cost our country £1117.9 billion each year [3].
If you would like more statistics on how the cost of living is affecting our mental health, then have a read of our informative and helpful infographic below (click to enlarge).
References
[2] Read more at the alcohol rehab article.