Commenting on the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health report, ‘Chance of a Lifetime’, which says that 80 per cent of all crime is committed by people who had conduct problems as children, Steve Shrubb, director of the Mental Health Network, which represents the majority of mental health trusts, said: ‘This report shows how the effects of poor mental health and wellbeing can lead to very serious and costly problems in other services.

‘We know from our own work that intervening early will mean money saved, both in the NHS and elsewhere in our public services. To build on the progress we have made in improving mental health services in this country, we need to recognise that mental health issues play a key role in our schools, the criminal justice system, social services and the full range of public services.’

Mental Health Network