Doctors hired ‘to tackle downturn depression’
The NHS is planning to hire extra psychotherapists to counsel victims of the economic downturn, it has emerged.
Some 3,000 healthcare professionals are to be taken on in order to deal with people who are experiencing depression or anxiety as a result of the redundancy or debt.
Redundancies are currently rife, with car manufacturer Nissan announcing 1,200 job cuts at its Sunderland plant this week
The Department of Health’s permanent secretary Hugh Taylor said a protracted downturn can have a significant impact on many peoples’ mental health.
"We are already making investment in psychological therapies and increasing the number of therapists," he remarked.
The government is said to be investing £173 million to increase access to psychotherapy and make such services available in all hospitals by 2011.
Antony Woodley, boss of the UK’s biggest union Unite, said: "We start 2009 heading into what may prove to be the deepest recession any of us have seen. That means anxiety for millions."
The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with depression
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