Experts have forecast that more than 1.7 million people in the UK will have dementia by 2051. Currently in the UK, 700,000 people have dementia (1 person in every 88) and this is predicted to increase to 940,110 by 2021.

By 2051 dementia is expected to affect the lives of around 1 in 3 people – either as a sufferer, a carer or a relative. Although this is mainly due to the UK’s ageing population, other factors such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, and lack of exercise are also thought to add to the risk.

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Young girls are crying out for help – last year one in six calls to a 24 hour mental health helpline came from young girls considering suicide. Depression, eating disorders sexual abuse and bullying seemed to be some of the main problems affecting young girls – according to the article on the BBC website, rates of depression and anxiety have increased among young people in the UK by 70% in the last 25 years. That’s a huge percentage, and an extremely worrying one.

Joelle Leader, assistant director of ChildLine said “At the moment, there are simply not enough therapeutic services for children with these problems, and we are urging the government to give this issue urgent attention.”

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The Office For National Statistics have revealed figures for drink-related death rates in the UK between 1991 and 2004. An article on the BBC website discussing these figures states that 75% of the areas with the highest male alcohol-related death rates were in Scotland. Apparently men and women in Scotland are twice as likely to die an alcohol related death than people in the UK as a whole.

In 2005 there were 2,372 alcohol related deaths in Scotland – that’s a 72% increase since 1995. A new action plan has been published by the Scottish Executive to tackle alcohol abuse.

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According to the American Psychological Association, sexualisation can be harmful for young girls. An article on the BBC defines sexualisation as “…occurring when a person’s value comes only from her or his sexual appeal or behaviour, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is portrayed purely as a sex object.”

Television, magazines, music videos and video games all have a detrimental effect according to the report, and sexualisation can lead to depression, lack of confidence and eating disorders. The media’s portrayal of young women as sex objects negatively affects young girls in many ways, including “cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development.”

The task force from the American Psychological Association called on parents, health professionals and school officials to be aware of the potential impact sexualisation may have on young girls. They also said the government has a responsibility to reduce the use of sexualised images in the media.

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According to an article on the BBC, individuals claiming incapacity benefit because of mental illness has hit an all time high of £1.1m. The government said spending on mental health had risen by 25% in five years.

Figures show that claimants are now younger and more likely to be female and that drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders, stress and depression are increasingly becoming reasons for claims.

Spending more money on early intervention in mental health services was suggested to save money spent on benefits.

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