Stress of modern UK society ‘could be causing mental health issues’

The increasing levels of stress faced by modern UK residents could be leading to an increase in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of charity organisation the Mental Health Foundation, said more and more people are experiencing hectic, high-pressure lifestyles, particularly middle-aged women.

According to Dr McCulloch, this is indicative of the need for increased investment into mental health research, in order to gain a better understanding of conditions and make improvements to current treatments.

He stated that the Mental Health Foundation is currently working with the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College to campaign for such a move.

"We need a threefold increase in research in mental health to reflect its economic and social importance relative to other illnesses," he explained.

In January 2011, BMI Healthcare published a study showing that women are more likely than men to have experienced increases in stress and depression as a result of the recession.