NEARLY one in four people aged over 16 in the Bradford district are living with a mental health disorder, according to a new study.

Research by health experts Now Patient has found that 23.67 per cent of over-16s in Bradford have a mental illness.

The figure is the highest in the north of England, and third-biggest UK-wide.

Data included analysis of clinical commissioning group statistics, and focussed on depression and anxiety rates, average waiting times for treatment and the number of referrals in each area.

Also taken into account was how many anti-depressants were prescribed by GP practices, and volumes of mental health-related questions online.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust says the impact of the pandemic is still being felt in terms of people's mental health, but it adds that extensive support is available.

A spokesperson said: "Covid has impacted significantly on the mental health of our communities.

"This is having a direct impact on not only the number of people affected, but also the levels of complexity and distress people are experiencing.

"We offer a range of treatment options which people can access instantly from the comfort of their own home, such as our online courses, and we have a breadth of signposting information on our website.

"People can also get out and meet others on group courses to access support."

The care trust adds that it offers around-the-clock help for people across the district.

"Our First Response crisis service offers support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages living in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven, experiencing a mental health crisis," the spokesperson said.

"The self-referral route offers telephone triage and assessment, where people in crisis can ring for help.

"Staff assess individuals and signpost to the right service, often avoiding hospital admission or A&E attendance.

"We achieved this working in partnership to operate the service with the local authority, police and voluntary sector agencies.

"Our intensive home treatment service also works with a multi-disciplinary team to support people to be discharged in a timely manner and to be cared for at home, and can visit patients three or four times a day if required.

"Homely and welcoming safer spaces for adults to go to in emotional distress give a realistic alternative to hospital admission, and are run in collaboration with the voluntary sector."

For more details about the services available, visit bdct.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-services.