People with depression could go without sufficient healthcare due to a lack of spending on mental health services, research has suggested.
Ssentif Intelligence's analysis of NHS data, published by Press Association 2012, has revealed depression cases in the UK have risen by 14% (some 495,000 cases) in the three years to 2011.
Primary Care Trusts' spending on mental health services, meanwhile, has risen by an average 10% in the period, said Judy Aldred, managing director of Ssentif.
Aldred has warned the real number of depression cases are probably higher as many sufferers do not seek support from their GP.
Emer O'Neill, chief executive of Depression Alliance, said she suspected "we are still at the tip of the iceberg of what the figure could be," as job losses, relationship problems or money worries take their toll.
Howard Edwards, a spokesperson for Simplyhealth, said: "We understand the impact that mental health issues, stress and depression can have, and it's worrying to see cases rising.
"Our products care for both physical and mental health so customers can get help if they need it. Our Simply Cash Plan includes a free helpline that people can use for information on counselling issues."
