Mental Health in Crisis: Why Now is the Time to Look Deeper Than a Diagnosis

I spent a day at the Integrated Personalised Medicine Mental Health Conference last week, and I’ve not stopped thinking about it since. The quality of speakers was incredible – clinicians and researchers sharing clinical insight, real-world data, and solutions we urgently need to be talking about. I had to share some of what I learned with you.

We are in the midst of a mental health crisis, not just among adults, but increasingly among children and teens too. The statistics are sobering:

• 1 in 6 adults in the UK now reports symptoms of anxiety or depression each week (NHS Digital, 2023).

• Among children and young people aged 8–25, 1 in 5 has a probable mental health disorder – up from 1 in 9 just a few years ago.

• Diagnoses of ADHD have surged, with prescriptions for ADHD medication doubling in the last decade for some groups (NHS BSA, 2023).

  
  

At the same time, we’ve seen a rise in sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress, disrupted sleep, and diets dominated by ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These trends are deeply connected.

A Diagnosis Isn’t the Same as a Root Cause

As Dr Daniel Amen put it at the conference, being diagnosed with depression or anxiety is a bit like being told you have “headache syndrome.” It might describe how you feel, but it doesn’t tell you why you feel that way, or what to do about it.

We often jump straight from symptom to label to medication. And while medication has a place, we know:

• Antidepressants only marginally outperform placebo in mild to moderate depression (Kirsch et al., 2008).

• Anti-anxiety meds may offer short-term relief but don’t resolve what’s causing the anxiety – and they can be habit-forming.

  
  

It’s time to go deeper.

What’s Driving the Rise in Mental Health Problems?

Several factors came up repeatedly at the conference – and they’re things I see every day in clinic.

1. Nutrient Deficiencies

Dr Debby Hamilton presented compelling evidence of widespread nutrient depletions in people with mood disorders, ADHD, and anxiety. Including:

• Low B vitamins, crucial for energy and neurotransmitter production

• Low vitamin D, which has a well-established link with depression

• Low omega-3 fats, essential for brain cell structure and function

• Low zinc, magnesium and iron, which are needed for mood stability, focus and resilience

Many of these nutrients are missing from modern diets and can be further depleted by chronic stress or poor gut absorption.

2. Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

UPFs don’t just crowd out nutrient-rich foods – they actively harm the brain. A 2023 study found that higher UPF intake is associated with smaller hippocampal volume – the area of the brain that governs memory, learning and mood (Firth et al., 2023).

3. Blood Sugar Dysregulation

Blood sugar instability is one of the most common – and most fixable – contributors to low mood, anxiety, poor focus and fatigue. Frequent blood sugar highs and crashes can lead to:

• Mood swings, irritability and panic

• Insulin resistance in the brain, now linked to Alzheimer’s and sometimes called “type 3 diabetes”

Stabilising blood sugar is one of the fastest ways to improve mental clarity, mood and energy. I do this with every single one of my clients and the results are incredible, quick and easy to sustain.

4. Gut Health Issues

The gut-brain connection is no longer theoretical - it’s central. Dr Jill Carnahan spoke about how gut infections, dysbiosis, leaky gut and food intolerances all increase inflammation and can disrupt neurotransmitter production (like serotonin and GABA).

When we support the gut, we often see sleep, anxiety, energy and mood improve.

5. Chronic Stress and Lack of Movement

Ongoing stress elevates cortisol, which can damage brain cells and disrupt sleep. And inactivity robs us of one of the most effective, free tools we have: movement.

Physical activity - even a short walk - has proven benefits for reducing depression, anxiety, inflammation and insulin resistance. It’s a key part of the picture.

What Can You Do? Practical Steps That Make a Difference

You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. These five areas are a great place to start:

Eat to Feed Your Brain

• Prioritise whole foods: colourful veg, oily fish, nuts, seeds, good quality protein

• Cut back on ultra-processed foods where possible

• Include fermented foods if you tolerate them

  
  

Balance Blood Sugar

• Eat protein at every meal

• Avoid skipping meals or going too long without food

• Swap refined carbs for slow-release sources (like oats, root veg, whole grains)

  
  

Support Your Gut

• Add prebiotic fibres like flax, oats, lentils and veg

• Look at stool testing or symptom patterns if there’s ongoing bloating, constipation or food reactivity

• Address imbalances gently – I often use herbs, probiotics and enzymes where needed

  
  

Move Daily

• Even 10 minutes of walking helps

• Strength training is great for brain and bone

• Aim for consistency, not perfection

  
  

Lower Stress and Prioritise Sleep

• Try breathwork, journaling, yoga, or getting outside

• Switch off screens before bed

• Sleep is when the brain detoxifies. It’s not optional

  
  

What I See in Clinic

When we dig into these root causes and support the body properly, mental health often shifts - and sometimes dramatically. I’ve seen clients:

• Reduce or come off medication (with GP supervision)

• Feel calmer and more resilient once their blood sugar is balanced

• Sleep better and feel clearer once gut health is addressed

• Get their energy and focus back with the right nutrients on board

  
  

Want to Understand What’s Driving Your Symptoms?

If this has struck a chord and you're wondering what's going on beneath the surface, I’d love to help. We can test for nutrient status in a number of ways:

• Blood tests to assess key nutrients, inflammation, blood sugar and more

• Organic acid testing like the Genova Metabolomix+, which looks at B vitamins, neurotransmitter metabolites, minerals, amino acid, antioxidant levels, oxidative stress and more

• By asking targeted questions and reviewing your symptoms, history, and any NHS blood results you may already have, we can start to build a picture of what your body needs..

• Or you can start with a simple Wellness Check or book in for a free 20-minute ‘Reboot Your Health’ call to explore your symptom.

  
  

The earlier we act, the more we can shift - for you, your children, and your future self.

Not sure if you want a longer programme or if Nutritional Therapy would suit you at all? Book a free 20 minute Health Review with no pressure at all.

Book a free 20-minute ‘Health Review’ call today, and let’s create a personalised plan to get you feeling your best!

Free Health Review

References

• NHS Digital. Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2023. Link

• NHS Business Services Authority. ADHD prescribing data, 2023. Link

• Kirsch I et al. The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth. Basic Books, 2008.

• Firth J et al. Ultra-processed food consumption and hippocampal volume: Brain Behav Immun Health, 2023. Link

• Amen D. The End of Mental Illness. Tyndale, 2020.

• Carnahan J. Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, 2023.

• Hamilton D. Preventing Autism and ADHD: Controlling Risk Factors Before, During and After Pregnancy, 2018.