About 84% of people have mental health problems and a third of the UK general public feels isolated, according to a new report.

The charity Mind says young people are most likely to feel disconnected from society, whether they have mental health problems or not.

It blames lack of relationships, absence of support and discrimination for feelings of social exclusion.

The charity is calling for government action on the problem.

Surveys of 532 Mind members and 964 members of the general public showed people living in rural communities and from black and ethnic communities were also more susceptible to isolation.

Feelings of social exclusion was most common among people with mental health problems and often contributed to their illness.

Of the Mind members surveyed, 80% said isolation made it harder for them to recover or cope with their mental health problems.

Many blamed relationship problems or lack of close relationships stemming from their mental health problems as a top cause of isolation.

Unemployment, lack of money and lack of support services also featured highly.

Ready use of a telephone was mentioned most often as the support used to help overcome isolation.

Mind said many people with mental health problems were condemned to a life of social segregation because of a vicious cycle of isolation, worsened by stigma and prejudice.

Chief executive Richard Brook said: "Most people already know that it's good to talk, but when you're in mental distress it isn't always that simple. If the crucial links are missing, things can go downhill rapidly."

He urged the government to take the lead in providing better social support for those at risk.

(Agencies)