Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department collects on the effect of rising living costs on mental health; what steps he will take to monitor the effect of rising living costs on mental health; and what steps he will take with Cabinet colleagues on monitoring the impact of any deterioration in mental health on the UK economy.

While specific data is not collected, changes in the prevalence of mental ill-health in children and young people is monitored through the Mental Health of Children and Young People in England survey. The latest survey published in 2021 is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2021-follow-up-to-the-2017-survey

The prevalence of mental ill-health in adults is monitored through the NHS Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, with the latest survey expected to be published in 2024. We also routinely monitor changes to National Health Service mental health service demand. The Office for National Statistics is undertaking analysis on the cost of living and depression in adults, which is due to be published on 6 December 2022.