Mental health patients ‘need extra anti-smoking support’

Mental health patients need extra support from the government to help them quit smoking ahead of the ban, a leading charity has said today.

From July 1st smoking in public places will be made illegal, including pubs, restaurants and workplaces.

As mental health patients are more likely to smoke and find it harder to give up the habit, the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) believes that the government should invest in smoking cessation services that offer psychological therapies and drug-based interventions to mentally ill patients both in the community and inpatient settings.

According to the Taking A Deep Breath report published today, up to 70 per cent of people in mental health inpatient units smoke and half are heavy smokers.

Smoking rates are higher in this group partly because nicotine temporarily helps to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety and low mood.

In people with depression, nicotine activates the release of dopamine in the brain, which is often found to be depleted in people with the illness.

And those with schizophrenia report that smoking helps them cope with some of the conditions symptoms, such as low motivation and social withdrawal.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the MHF, said: “The smoking ban is going to be a tremendous challenge for patients who use mental health services and staff in psychiatric units.

“Staff are rightly concerned about the effect on patients, who will be experiencing withdrawal symptoms as well as feeling anxious and angry that their right to smoke has been taken away.”