Jeremy Corbyn to warn economic pressures risk sparking 'mental health epidemic'

Jeremy Corbyn will today say that a “perfect storm” of economic pressures on British workers is behind a drastic rise in people suffering from mental health problems.



The Labour leader is expected to warn that job insecurity, the housing crisis, rising debt and falling living standards are leading to growing levels of anxiety and stress, when he addresses the party’s State of the Economy Conference.

Mr Corbyn will say that “taking control from untrammelled markets and giving people more power to run their own lives” would go some way in averting the crisis.

And he will warn that employers risk falling productivity, by citing TUC research which shows mental health issues to be a leading cause of work absences – with 70 million working days each year “lost” to mental health and stress issues.

The Labour leader will add that with over a third of GP visits being about mental health, Britain is on the verge of an “epidemic”.

"A perfect storm of economic pressures is feeding this crisis,” he is expected to say.

"Too many workers endure stress in toxic work environments or face job insecurity, with many more lying awake at night worried about debts, rent or mortgage payments, not knowing how they will make ends meet at the end of the month.

"The epidemic affects all ages, but it is stifling young people trying to start out in life in particular."

Mr Corbyn will add that a recent study showed one third of 18-24 year olds have suffered stress due to worries about housing.

He will add: “Why have we allowed this free-for-all housing system that causes so many of our young people so much worry?

"The pattern throughout society is clear: the more vulnerable people are to uncontrolled market forces, the more vulnerable they are to stress and mental health problems.

"It’s a simple argument for why we must take power from the market and give that power directly to people themselves."