Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Skin Conditions and Mental Health

25 January 2022 · 9 other contributors · 8,490 words

Opened by Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough

Responding minister: Gillian Keegan

Mental HealthNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Edward Leigh raised concerns about skin conditions and mental health in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Mr Leigh raised concerns about the severe psychological impact of skin conditions on individuals, citing a survey where 98% of patients felt their condition affected their emotional and psychological wellbeing.
  • Mr Leigh urged the government to ensure parity between dermatology services and other long-term conditions by providing clear pathways for psychological intervention and increasing staffing in dermatology services.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of addressing mental health issues associated with skin conditions, noting the Government's commitment to achieving parity between mental and physical health services, with investment increasing from 11 billion to over 14 billion since 2015-18.

Key requests to Government

Mr. Leigh urges the government to ensure parity between dermatology services and other long-term conditions by providing clear pathways for psychological intervention, increasing staffing in dermatology services, improving training for healthcare professionals, prioritizing research funding for psychodermatology, and ensuring that mental health funding is used effectively to improve support systems.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough

Mr. Leigh is concerned about the significant psychological impact of skin conditions on individuals, highlighting that 60% of people live with some form of skin condition which can severely affect their mental health and daily life. He cited a survey showing that 98% of patients felt their condition affected emotional and psychological wellbeing, yet only 'poor' or 'very poor' mental health provision was available in the NHS for those with skin conditions. The waiting times for appointments have worsened due to the pandemic, leading to significant stress and anxiety among patients. He also emphasized that the lack of psychological support can result in severe outcomes such as self-harm and suicide.

Other contributors (9)
  • Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North

    Paying tribute to Changing Faces, Caroline Nokes highlighted that 55% of young people are bullied about their appearance due to skin conditions. She stressed the psychological impact on children who face bullying and may avoid school activities because of their condition. Nokes also noted the controversy surrounding Roaccutane, a drug that can cause low mood in some users.

  • Carolyn Harris Lab Neath and Swansea East

    Ms Harris highlighted the mental health impact of visible skin conditions, noting that nearly one in five people in the UK self-identify as having a visible difference. She emphasised the lack of specialist mental health support available to young people with such conditions and praised charity Changing Faces for its work. She called on businesses and brands to sign the 'Pledge to be seen' campaign to reduce stigma and promote inclusivity.

  • James Gray Con North Wiltshire

    I remind Members that Mr Speaker has asked us to wear our masks if at all possible and to maintain social distancing where we can.

  • James Sunderland Lab Workington

    Discussed mental health support for those with skin conditions, citing that 60% of British people have suffered from skin conditions at some point. Noted a significant increase in psychological distress among adults and children since the pandemic, with specific figures provided. Highlighted issues such as self-harm thoughts and deteriorating mental health among young people. Emphasised the importance of addressing the link between dermatology and mental health.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon focused on the importance of addressing mental health issues related to skin conditions. He shared his personal experience with his son's psoriasis and emphasized the need for special psychological care to help individuals cope with their condition. Shannon also highlighted statistics about skin cancer deaths in the UK and inflammatory skin disease cases in Northern Ireland.

  • Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South

    Ms Smyth commended the right hon. Member for Gainsborough on his work and highlighted that despite similar reports in 2003 and 2013, little has changed for people suffering from skin conditions. She pointed out that 98% of respondents to the APPG's survey stated their condition impacts mental health, yet only 18% reported access to support. Ms Smyth also discussed how social media exacerbates issues such as bullying and mocking for those with visible skin conditions.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op York Central

    Ms Maskell highlighted the case of a constituent who suffered from topical steroid withdrawal, leading to severe side effects and mental health issues. She advocated for better education in dermatology within GP practices, including specialised doctors to manage the care pathway. Ms Maskell also emphasised the importance of psychological support through IAPT services for those undergoing this treatment.

  • Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park

    Ms Olney briefly intervened to pay tribute to Sir Edward Leigh and discussed a constituent with lifelong psoriasis. She stressed the importance of patients feeling confident about reaching out to their doctor for help.

  • Steven Bonnar SNP Glasgow North East

    Millions of people across the UK suffer from skin conditions that can have a devastating impact on mental health. These conditions, such as psoriasis, can cause anxiety and depression, and primary healthcare professionals often lack the necessary training to support patients with psychological effects. The British Skin Foundation reports that 70% of people in the UK have noticeable skin disorders or scarring that lower self-esteem.

Government Response

Gillian Keegan

The Minister acknowledged the importance of addressing mental health issues associated with skin conditions, noting that one in 50 people will develop psoriasis and one in five children suffer from eczema. She highlighted the Government's commitment to achieving parity between mental and physical health services, with investment increasing from £11 billion to over £14 billion since 2015-18. The Minister noted that people with dermatological conditions should receive regular emotional and psychological support through local pathways and health practitioners' training. She mentioned the expansion of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, which has been accessed by over one million people in 2020 and 2021, and emphasised that IAPT services are accessible for self-referal without needing a GP referral. The Minister also discussed efforts to integrate mental health support with physical care pathways, recognising the interlinkage between mental and physical health issues. She referenced the impact of the pandemic on mental health services and the additional £500 million investment in the mental health recovery action plan for this financial year.

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