Medical chief in staff mental health treatment plea

The charity Mind says mental illness is the biggest reason people are off sick in the UK.

It has welcomed a report by England's top doctor looking at the issues surrounding mental illness.

Professor Dame Sally Davies' report highlights the number of working days lost to sickness absence because of stress, depression and anxiety. The figure's surged over the last five years costing the economy billions of pounds.

ITV News' Sally Biddulph reports:

The Royal College of Nursing has praised a report by the Department of Health's chief medical officer, which calls for faster treatment for people experiencing mental health issues.

Around 70 million working days were lost to metal illness last year, costing the economy up to £100 billion.

"The costs of mental illness to the economy are astounding," the Department of Health's chief medical officer has said.

Workers seeking treatment for mental health issues could be fast-tracked through the health system to prevent them having to take time off from work, the chief medical officer has suggested.

Professor Dame Sally Davies said the number of working days lost due to stress, depression and anxiety has increased by 24% since 2009, with the number lost due to serious mental health issues doubling.

The Department of Health's chief medical officer called on health experts to investigate whether or not it would be beneficial to speed up the treatment pathway for those who may fall out of work due to those issues.

Dame Sally said such a move could improve people's chances of staying in work.