New Data on Severe Mental Illness Published as UK Prepares for Mental Health Awareness Week
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has published a significant update to the Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Profile, including for the first time a model-based estimated prevalence of severe mental illness (SMI) for England and local areas. The data, released on April 8, 2026, is designed to support local health services in planning, commissioning, and delivering mental health care.
The new indicator covers condition groups including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychoses, and is accompanied by a detailed report on derivation methods and guidance on its use for local authorities and integrated care boards.
Scale of the Challenge
The data underlines the scale of the mental health challenge facing the UK. Approximately one in four adults in England experience a mental health problem each year, with women more likely than men to be affected — 20.7% of women compared to 13.2% of men. Young women aged 16 to 24 are at the highest risk, with 28.2% experiencing a common mental disorder.
In 2023, 6,069 suicides were registered in England and Wales, equating to 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people — the highest rate since 1999. The cost of poor mental health in England is calculated at £300 billion a year, including lost productivity, NHS costs, and wider social impacts.
Mental Health Awareness Week Approaches
The publication comes ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, scheduled for May 11 to 17. The annual event, organised by the Mental Health Foundation, aims to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and promote mental wellness across the UK.
April is also designated as Stress Awareness Month and World Autism Acceptance Month, with organisations across the UK encouraged to engage with both campaigns and support their employees and communities.
NHS Expansion of Mental Health Services
NHS England has been expanding its mental health provision, with the NHS App increasingly being used to connect patients with mental health resources. The government has committed to reducing waiting times for mental health services as part of its broader NHS reform agenda, though campaigners argue that investment has not kept pace with growing demand.
