NEW FINDINGS SHOW HOMEOPATHY HELPS FIGHT DEPRESSION 20/04/06

It’s not only counselling that has a role to play in preventing serious mental illness.

In a national survey conducted by The Society of Homeopaths, 87% of patients who complained of mental and emotional problems reported positive change.

479 patients participated in the evaluation, 99 (20%) of whom complained of mental and emotional symptoms as their most troublesome. This was the most frequent category of symptoms treated by homeopaths participating in the survey, for which the Society has preliminary findings.(1)

“Homeopathy can prevent the downward spiral into enduring mental illness, can help patients reduce their dependency on anti-depressants and reduce the pressure they place on GPs”, says Josephine O’Gorman, Programme Manager (CAMs Integration) at Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust.

Waltham Forest PCT has successfully integrated homeopathy into a Mental Health Strategy where the strength of homeopathy is that it treats not only mental health problems but also physical and emotional aspects of the patient. This work recently won the NHS Alliance Acorn Award. (2)

Christopher Smallwood’s Report for the Prince of Wales also suggested substantial savings could be made by introducing homeopathy into general practice(3). 70% of GPs feel complementary medicine should be freely available on the NHS.(4)

Clare Relton, Chair of The Society of Homeopaths’ Research Committee said: “We are certain that homeopathic treatment is a safe and cost-effective option for NHS patients with common mental health problems. Our preliminary findings support this view.”

Ends/….

References:

1. The Society’s National Service Evaluation is awaiting publication.

2. Josephine O’Gorman RSHom provides homeopathy at Waltham Forest PCT:

0794 100 2250 email: josephine.o’[email protected]

PATIENTS WILLING TO BE INTERVIEWED

3. Smallwood, C. The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the NHS,

Prince of Wales commissioned research from FreshMinds, October 2005

4. GP Magazine, November 2004

Notes:

1. Mental health services cost the country as a whole almost £8M, with prescription drugs accounting for £750M and GP consultations £900M. The hidden costs of mental health. A survey carried out by Health Which? of 455 respondents, MIND. ISBN 1-903567-43-2, 2003
2. In a typical primary care trust (PCT) of 200,000 patients, around 25,000 will suffer from depression, anxiety, or other forms of neurosis. A further 500 will suffer from a psychotic illness. Adult mental health services in primary care; NHS Confederation in association with The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, November 2005
3. The Sunday Mirror (27.11.05) reported that doctors prescribe 29 million anti-depressants to patients and now more than two million people in Britain are taking them. The amount spent on anti-depressants has soared from £25million 20 years ago to £400million last year.
4. Lord Layard called for 10,000 more NHS therapists and the creation of a network of 250 independent therapy treatment centres. Adult mental health services in primary care; NHS Confederation in association with The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, November 2005
5. The Society of Homeopaths is the largest organisation registering professional homeopaths in the UK, with over 2,500 members.

For further information: Melanie Oxley, Communications Manager 0845 450 6611

www.homeopathy-soh.org or email [email protected]

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