News Release, 6 June 2006
As new government figures show that prescriptions for antidepressants have increased by 33 per cent in the last six years, costing the economy over £28 million, a mental health charity today said that it had been awarded £95,000 by the Department of Health to promote exercise as an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, direct to GPs in their surgeries.
The Mental Health Foundation will use the money to train and employ an Exercise Referral Champion who will promote the use of exercise therapy directly to GPs. While evidence shows that a supervised programme of exercise on prescription can be as effective as antidepressants in treating mild or moderate depression, GPs are still turning to medication as their first-line treatment because other options are not available.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“Patients with depression asking their GPs for help are currently being denied exercise as a treatment option. Many GPs do not know or believe that exercise is an effective treatment for depression, and few research bodies are able to match the marketing or staffing power of pharmaceutical companies when it comes to communicating and investing in relationships with GPs. We hope that by going directly to surgeries, we will be able to educate GPs about the effectiveness of exercise referral so that patients are given more choice.”
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Notes to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the Press Office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130 or email the press office
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.
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