TY - JOUR T1 - Integrating primary mental health care and mental health promotion JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 60 LP - 61 DO - 10.3399/bjgp16X683533 VL - 66 IS - 643 AU - Paul Thomas AU - David Morris Y1 - 2016/02/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/66/643/60.abstract N2 - The mental health theme in this issue of the BJGP comes at a time of growing awareness of the need to integrate mental health services within the UK NHS. The 2013 Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)1 reminds us that mental illness is the largest single cause of disability, representing 28% of the national disease burden in the UK. It is the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK, accounting for 70 million sick days in 2007. Mental illness costs the UK economy £70–£100 billion per year; 4.5% of gross domestic product. People with mental illness die on average 15–20 years earlier than those without mental illness, often from avoidable causes. About 75% of people with mental illness receive no treatment at all. The CMO Report describes the need for integrated mental health care throughout the life course: children and young people, adults, and older adults.Articles in this issue of the BJGP remind us that general practice is involved at every life stage. They come from six European countries and focus on adolescence, older people, healthcare colleagues, and end-of-life care. Haugen and colleagues present a study from Norway and Denmark that found a useful way to screen for depression in adolescents. Their study describes three questions that you may want to ask those who may be depressed.2 Hughes and colleagues present a study of patients in Yorkshire (England) aged 16–40 years who were on antidepressants. Their sample suggests that 7% may have unrecognised bipolar disorder (for whom mood stabilisers may be helpful) and they propose using … ER -