Mental health problems are extremely common, affecting one in six adults. The table below estimates the number of people in Southwark that could be expected to have common mental health symptoms based on prevalence rates found in the National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2000. 

The data indicates that many of the symptoms are more common in women than men.  These estimates should be used as a rough indication only.  They take no account of particular factors prevailing in Southwark’s population, eg. ethnicity, social class, employment status, etc.

Prevalence of mental symptoms in Southwark

Sources: ONS Psychiatric Morbidity among Adults living in Private Households 2000
GLA 2003 round based population projections for 2005

Neurotic disorders
Estimates have also been made on the number of people in Southwark with neurotic and depressive disorders, again based on rates found in the National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (2000).  These disorders are associated with social exclusion and deprivation, and as Southwark has relatively high levels of deprivation, the figures are likely to be an underestimate of the true picture.

Prevalence of neurotic disorders in Southwark

Sources: ONS Psychiatric Morbidity among Adults living in Private Households 2000
GLA 2003 round based population projections for 2005

Psychotic disorders
The National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (2000) found a prevalence rate for probable psychotic disorder in the past year of 6 per 1,000 among men and 5 per 1,000 among women (adults 16 to 74 years only).  Applying these rates to the Southwark population we would expect approximately 600 men and 500 women with psychotic disorders.   Again, considering the population characteristics of Southwark, it is expected that this is an underestimate.

Suicide
The suicide rate in Southwark is 7.6 per 100,000 residents (2002-04) compared to the London-wide rate of 5.4 per 100,000.