Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Mental health is essential to our overall well-being. It is the foundation for our ability to think, feel and be creative; manage stress; relate to others, and enjoy life.
Good mental health allows us to realise our abilities, cope with everyday challenges, overcome adversity and contribute to our communities.
Everyone experiences mental health problems from time to time. This can include feeling anxious, stressed or down. We all have times when we feel more low than usual, but when these low periods persist and start to affect how we manage day-to-day activities, it might be a sign of a more serious problem.
For example, UK mental health charity Mind report that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem (2023) each year.
Links from this website exist for information only and we accept no responsibility or liability for the information contained on any such sites. The existence of a link to another website does not imply or express endorsement of its provider, products or services by us or St. James’s Place. Please note that clicking a link will open the external website in a new window or tab.
If you are concerned about your mental health, it is important to seek help and support as soon as possible.
There are a number of ways to get help, including talking to your GP or contacting a helpline such as Samaritans. More specific helplines are at the bottom of this page.
Getting help early can make a big difference in your recovery. Remember that you are not alone – millions of people live with mental health problems every day.
With the right support, most people recover from their experiences and go on to lead happy and healthy lives.
Mental health refers to the well-being of your overall state of mind. This can be how you think, how you’re feeling or how you behave alone or socially. Our health conditions hub covers the most frequently asked questions about conditions and explains how they will affect protection insurance policies.
Whether you suffer from a mental health condition and are looking to apply for insurance to protect your family. Or, are looking to make a claim and need a few questions answered, we aim to be of assistance.
Any content on this website that falls under the health conditions section is in no way intended to provide medical advice. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor.
During the application process, the disclosure of having suffered from mental health issues may affect the outcome of the application. To find out an insurer’s point of view before you apply, request a call back from one of our qualified advisers.
We have up-to-date knowledge of the ever-changing landscape of underwriting for all providers in the UK. Future Proof is committed to thorough research so you don’t have to. Moreover, our advice comes at no obligation and with no hidden costs. You don’t pay us directly but we do get paid by the insurer if you decide to start a policy with them.
Poor mental health is a growing problem in the UK. According to a recent study, one in four adults will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. This figure is even higher for young people, with one in ten children aged between five and sixteen suffering from a diagnosable mental health disorder. Source: Mind 2023.
Links from this website exist for information only and we accept no responsibility or liability for the information contained on any such sites. The existence of a link to another website does not imply or express endorsement of its provider, products or services by us or St. James’s Place. Please note that clicking a link will open the external website in a new window or tab.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to poor mental health. One of the most important is stress. In our fast-paced, constantly-connected lives, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. This can lead to anxiety and depression, as well as physical health problems.
Another key factor is isolation. With more and more people living alone or feeling disconnected from their communities, rates of loneliness and depression are on the rise.
Finally, there is a growing awareness of mental health issues, which means more people are seeking help for problems that may have previously gone undiagnosed.
Whatever the cause, it’s clear that poor mental health is a major problem in the UK. Thankfully, there is also increasing recognition of the importance of addressing these issues. With more support and understanding, we can hope to see a reduction in the number of people suffering from mental illness in the future.
Mental health problems are one of the most serious issues facing the UK today. Mental health problems are now more common than physical health problems.
These conditions can have a major impact on a person’s life and can lead to problems such as difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, and low self-esteem. If left untreated, mental health problems can lead to self-harm and even suicide.
It is therefore essential that people suffering from mental health problems seek professional help.
There are many organisations that offer support and advice, and there is no shame in seeking help.
Mental health problems are real and serious and should be treated with the same care and attention as any other type of illness.
According to recent research, the most common mental health conditions in the UK are:
:source Mind 2023 Other common disorders include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), specific phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
While mental health conditions can vary in severity, they all have the potential to cause significant distress and interfere with everyday life. It is also possible for someone’s diagnosis to change several times throughout their life.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, it is important to seek professional help.
Mental health is something that we all have. It is how we think, feel and behave. It can also affect how we cope with stress, relate to others and make choices in our lives.
Everyone’s mental health is different and changing from day to day, but poor mental health can make someone feel low for a long time. Poor mental health is not simply a response to life’s ups and downs; it is when feelings and behaviours start to significantly interfere with everyday life.
Examples of signs and symptoms according to NHS England 2023 ( Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 Open Government Licence.) include:
It is important to be aware that sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder can appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. There are lots of organisations that can provide support and treatment if you are struggling with your mental health.
Talking to a friend or family member can also be really helpful. Remember that you are not alone; many people experience poor mental health at some point in their lives.
For those suffering from mental illness and conditions relating to depression, stress and anxiety, the following questions will be asked when applying for a protection insurance policy or quote.
If your condition is more recent and you answer yes to any of these questions Future Proof will carry out full research across insurance providers as each company may view the information very differently.
A GP report is unlikely to be requested for any protection policy ( life insurance, critical illness or income protection) unless you have experienced severe symptoms leading to you being hospitalised or attempting suicide or self-harm. Conditions such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder, are likely to be more severe than other mental health conditions.
The outcome of an application in this situation will also likely be dependent on when your last episode occurred, as well as the severity of your symptoms. Even if a GP report has been requested, this does not necessarily mean that you will automatically be declined.
This is a normal part of underwriting if you have a pre-existing condition and should be nothing to worry about. An insurer will want to find out all they can about your condition and how well-controlled it is. Their decision to accept you for a policy will be based on the information held in your GP report. Additionally, it will help them assess at what cost they will offer cover. Will they offer you cover at standard rates – the ordinary cost of someone of your age, at this level of cover? Will the insurer add a ‘loading’ – this is an additional sum charged on top of a standard monthly premium to reflect additional risk)? Or, maybe they might look to exclude a condition or associated conditions.
A medical is never usually requested as a result of a mental health disclosure. Medicals are primarily requested due to a large sum assured being requested.
Everyone’s situation is different and mental health conditions are very personal. On the whole, if the episode of ill health has been a one-off and a historic event, it should be possible to obtain life and Critical illness cover at a normal premium with no caveats. More recent or multiple events may cause the premium to be loaded ( increased) for both life insurance and critical illness cover. Only the most severe conditions will cause life and critical illness cover to be declined by an insurer.
When it comes to the outcome of an Income Protection application, if you have suffered from symptoms in the three years leading up to the application, the policy will likely be subject to a full mental health exclusion. In this case, Future Proof would recommend starting the policy immediately but reviewing it annually to see if the exclusion can be removed over time.
These ‘likely’ outcomes are meant as guidance only and have been generalised across a very large health condition. A health condition which is incredibly broad and where every person’s condition is very different and personal. Likewise, all insurers’ decisions are based on different sets of criteria. In advance of an application, your Future Proof adviser will anonymously gauge the insurer’s outcomes. Saving you time and worry.
I’m Rachel Trainer a Development Underwriter at Scottish Widows.
One in four people will experience a mental health challenge of some kind each year. Because this is such a common disclosure, I’d like to tell you a bit about it to help you when you’re applying for protection insurance.
We understand how important the purpose of Protection is, whether it is protecting your family or mortgage. Our intention is always to try and offer people cover with the best terms possible.
As underwriters, it is important that we assess all risks presented to us. 22% of all Scottish Widows applicants have made a disclosure of poor mental health in their application forms.
96% of applicants who tell us about a mental illness are offered cover and of those, 87% will be accepted at standard rates for life cover. ( ie offered cover with no increase in their monthly premiums).
Asking questions on the application form about mental health allows us to create an understanding of a person’s symptoms. We appreciate that for some people it can be a sensitive subject, rest assured that the answers will be used to help us make a fair assessment and offer the best possible terms.
From our perspective, it is important to offer a flexible approach when it comes to mental health as each person’s experience is unique. In many instances, we will call the applicant and give them the opportunity to tell their own story regarding their symptoms as often they have the best insight into their condition. In some circumstances, a GP report will be required to help with our assessment.
Some people will experience milder forms of mental health conditions such as bereavement or work-related stress. In general, these episodes are a reaction to personal circumstances or life events and are short-lived.
Other customers may experience chronic mental health conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia.
Our application questions allow us to make that distinction between milder and chronic forms of mental health conditions, this enables us to consider the most appropriate terms for insurance.
Common application questions include:
For people experiencing milder forms of a mental health condition, as Underwriters, we would view this as there presenting no additional risk and an application would therefore be offered standard rates ( with no increase in monthly premiums).
Some applicants may experience symptoms which result in a poor response to treatment and require prolonged periods of time off work. Due to the unstable nature of their symptoms, we may apply an increase to their premium. If Critical Illness cover has been applied for a mental health exclusion may be added to the Total Permanent Disability part of the policy.
Severe forms of mental health conditions may have a big impact on a person’s overall physical health and in some cases be a risk to life. Severe forms can also be associated with other health risks such as alcohol and drug abuse. In these circumstances, we are unlikely to offer terms due to the higher risk presented.
Applicant aged 29, applying for £100,000 Life and Critical Illness Cover (including Own Occupation Total Permanent Disability).
Life and Critical Illness Cover including Total Permanent Disability would be accepted at standard rates with no increase to their monthly premium.
Terms can be offered from the application alone with no GP report required.
Applicant aged 37, applying for £250,000 Life and Critical Illness Cover (including Own Occupation Total Permanent Disability).
Life and Critical Illness Cover would be accepted at standard rates. A mental health exclusion would be applied to Total Permanent Disability (if selected as part of our Critical Illness cover).
An offer of insurance terms is made from the application alone with no GP report required.
Applicant aged 52, applying for £100,000 Life and Critical Illness Cover (including Own Occupation Total Permanent Disability).
Owing to the above details, Life Cover would be accepted with a 75% rating ( addition to the standard premium), Critical Illness Cover would be accepted at standard rates with no increase to the standard premium.
Total Permanent Disability would be declined if selected as part of our Critical Illness cover. An offer of insurance terms can be offered from the application with no GP report required.
I hope this article helps explain the variety of underwriting outcomes we may offer applicants who suffer from mental health conditions. The above case studies are indicative only and are shown for information purposes only. Your own circumstances will determine the outcome of an application.
Article sourced with thanks from Scottish Widows. The outcomes mentioned are purely Scottish Widows’ underwriting opinions, other insurer outcomes will vary. The feature is not meant to imply or endorse Scottish Widows, your own circumstances will dictate the most suitable insurer for your needs.
Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background. However, there are certain groups of people who are more likely to experience poor mental health.
For example, people who live in poverty or who have experienced trauma are at an increased risk.
Other groups who are more vulnerable include young people, pregnant women, new mothers and those who are caring for a loved one.
If you are part of any of these groups, it is important to be aware of the signs of poor mental health and to seek help if necessary.
Many people will experience poor mental health in their lifetime. Chances are, you or someone you know will suffer from a mental health condition. But what can be done to avoid developing a mental health condition in the first place?
There are a number of things that can help to keep your mental health in good shape.
Mental health conditions can be difficult to deal with, but there are things that you can do to reduce your risk of developing one. By following the tips above, you can help to keep your mental health in good shape.
If you feel as though you are in poor mental health, it is important to reach out for help.
There are a number of services and organizations in the UK that can provide support. Your GP should be your first port of call. They can assess your symptoms and offer advice on how to improve your mental health. If you need more specific support, they can refer you to a specialist service. There are also a number of helplines that you can contact if you need someone to talk to. The Samaritans offer a 24-hour helpline for anyone in crisis, while SaneLine provides support for people affected by mental illness.
Finally, there are many charities that offer advice and support on different types of mental health conditions.
For example, Mind offers information and support for people with anxiety or depression.
Whatever type of support you need, there is someone who can help.
You don’t have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. Please call us and we can check your protection policy for available assistance programmes such as RedArc, Square Health, Smarthealth, Support Plus, LV Doctor services and other support services.
For a listening ear or just someone to talk to the Samaritans are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -you don’t have to be suicidal to get in touch.
The Samaritans – for everyone Call 116 123
If you are having suicidal thoughts, help and support are available right now if you need it. Don’t struggle with difficult feelings alone.
Alternative helplines are listed here, more about these at the bottom of this page.
Links from this website exist for information only and we accept no responsibility or liability for the information contained on any such sites. The existence of a link to another website does not imply or express endorsement of its provider, products or services by us or St. James’s Place. Please note that clicking a link will open the external website in a new window or tab.
UK psychiatrists use a variety of methods to diagnose mental health conditions.
These include:
The aim is to build up a comprehensive picture of the patient’s symptoms and how they are affecting their life. Once a diagnosis has been made, the psychiatrist can develop a treatment plan to help the patient recover.
There are a number of different treatments available to improve mental health in the UK. These include psychological therapies and counselling services, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Medication can also be effective in treating mental health conditions.
If you are concerned about your mental health, it is important to speak to your GP who will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Talking therapies involve speaking to a trained professional about your thoughts and feelings, and can help you to understand your problems better and develop coping mechanisms. There is evidence that talking therapies can be extremely effective in treating a range of mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. In the UK, there are a number of different types of talking therapies available on the NHS, so it’s worth considering whether this could be an option for you. Talking therapies for some people are just as effective as taking medicines. They give you a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
Mind UK July 2023 advises: “Whether or not you are offered medication for your mental health is likely to depend on:
There are many different types of mental health treatments to help you cope with your symptoms.”
Some people are able to manage their condition through lifestyle changes and therapy, while others may find that medication is necessary in order to maintain their mental health. If you are unsure whether or not you need medication, discuss your options with your doctor. They will be able to assess your individual situation and make recommendations based on what they believe will be most effective for you.
There are a variety of ways to address mental health issues. The most common approach is through the (NHS), which offers free mental health services to all UK residents. The NHS provides a range of services, including psychiatric care, counselling, and support groups. While the NHS is the most common way to address mental health issues in the UK, it is not the only option.
There are also private mental health clinics and therapists who offer their services for a fee. Some people may also choose to address their mental health issues without professional help, through self-care and support from friends and family. Ultimately, there is no wrong or right way to address mental health issues. What is most important is finding an approach that works for you.
There is no easy answer when it comes to the effectiveness of self-help for improving mental health. The reality is that what works for one person may not work for another. If you are going to go down the route of self-help or self-care as it is now known as, make sure that you research the source of it carefully. There is a lot of unscrupulous content online which can make your mental health worse. A good place to start is on the Mind website, this link will take you directly to their self-help/ care page for individual mental health conditions.
Links from this website exist for information only and we accept no responsibility or liability for the information contained on any such sites. The existence of a link to another website does not imply or express endorsement of its provider, products or services by us or St. James’s Place. Please note that clicking a link will open the external website in a new window or tab.
Poor mental health can have a significant impact on children. This can lead to problems at school, including difficulty concentrating, lower grades, and truancy. Poor mental health can also lead to social isolation and increased levels of anxiety and depression. In extreme cases, it can even lead to self-harm and suicide. It is therefore essential that parents and carers are aware of the signs of poor mental health in children and seek professional help if they are concerned. By doing so, we can help ensure that children get the support they need to thrive.
A number of factors have been identified as contributing to an upward trend, including financial insecurity, social media use, and exam pressure. While it is important to raise awareness of these risks, it is also essential to provide support for young people who are struggling with their mental health. This can include access to counselling and therapy services, as well as peer support groups. By ensuring that young people have the resources they need to cope with mental health problems, we can help to reduce the risk of these problems becoming more severe.
For more information and support for this health condition please click on these links which will take you away from the Future Proof website.
Links from this website exist for information only and we accept no responsibility or liability for the information contained on any such sites. The existence of a link to another website does not imply or express endorsement of its provider, products or services by us or St. James’s Place. Please note that clicking a link will open the external website in a new window or tab.
Many insurers offer additional benefits that provide care and support to people, over the phone, to both the sufferers as well as their families. Specifically providing emotional support while people go through treatment and recovery. Find out what benefits are included with life and critical illness insurance policies.
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