BBC News Online: Health

Drugs 'foisted on mentally ill'

Minds says GPs are "too quick to offer drugs"

The mental health charity Mind says NHS mental health services must offer people more choice.

In addition, almost 50% of GP practices do not have a counselling service attached.

Mind is to publish a full survey examining the issue in the summer. Interim results indicate:

• 98% of respondents visiting their GP for mental health problems were prescribed medication, despite the fact that less than one in five had specifically asked for it
• More than half (54%) of respondents felt they had not been given enough choice
• Of those who had tried alternative treatments, more than one in three had to take the initiative and ask for it - and often pay for it - themselves
• Almost 10% of all respondents had been unable to access treatments because waiting lists were too long

Model plan

Chief executive Richard Brook said: "Our experience shows us that different people get the best results from a whole range of treatments.

"Unfortunately, the reality is that doctors are not always aware of what alternatives to medication might be useful for dealing with mental health problems, or do not have access to them.

"As the new Primary Care Trusts start to make decisions about what to make available, we want to point out that there are a whole host of treatments that can be reasonably offered, which can have a positive impact on their patients' mental health."

Health Minister Jacqui Smith welcomed the Mind campaign.

She said: "Patients are the most important people in the health service. However, it doesn't always appear that way.

"The NHS Plan makes clear our wish to widen patient choice in the NHS.

"Patients tell us that they are very interested in complementary and alternative therapies, and demand for these treatments alongside psychological therapies and counselling is high."