A Rethink Mental Illness charity analysis of NHS data has identified substantial health disparities affecting adults with severe mental illness in England. The research examined mortality patterns among working-age adults under 75 who were referred to specialist secondary mental health services.
The data reveals marked increases in mortality risk across multiple conditions. Adults with severe mental illness are 6.3 times more likely to die from liver disease, 6 times more likely from respiratory illness, 3.8 times more likely from cardiovascular disease, and 2.3 times more likely from cancer compared to the general population. They face a 14.6-fold increased risk of suicide-related death. Overall, this population is 4.8 times more likely to die of any cause before age 75.
During the 2022-2024 reporting period, cancer and cardiovascular disease each accounted for just under 19% of early deaths among this group, respiratory disease comprised 11%, and liver disease 8%. Combined, these four conditions accounted for 56.5% of deaths. Suicide represented 7% of early deaths in this demographic.
The report attributes excess mortality to multiple contributing factors including poverty, inadequate housing, elevated smoking rates, medication-induced weight gain, physical inactivity, and fragmented healthcare services. A significant concern highlighted is “diagnostic overshadowing,” wherein physical symptoms are incorrectly attributed to mental illness, resulting in delayed or missed diagnosis and treatment of treatable conditions.
Leading mental health organizations and government officials have responded to the findings by acknowledging the crisis and committing to intervention. Officials indicated plans to implement physical health monitoring, establish 100 new community mental health centers, and develop an integrated service framework aimed at reducing premature mortality and improving health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
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