Introduction to Mental Health Review
The government has launched an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services in England. The review will examine whether there is evidence of overdiagnosis and what gaps in support exist. It will be led by clinical psychologist Prof. Peter Fonagy and the results will be published in the summer.
Background
The government said it is already investing in expanding services, but there are long waits for therapy in many areas. NHS figures show that the prevalence of mental health problems and ADHD has increased significantly over the last two decades. The government believes there are people referred to waiting lists who do not need treatment.
The Review
The review will look at how NHS services are working and what support could be given to people sooner. Government sources said they wanted to establish a baseline for diagnosis and quality of care. It is believed that one of the factors behind long waiting times was that people who did not necessarily need treatment were put on waiting lists, when practical support, such as help with social or financial problems or brief talk therapy, could be the solution.
Increased Pressure on the NHS
The DHSC said increased pressure on the NHS had left “people with acute needs facing long waiting times for far too long, dealing with overwhelmed services, experiencing inequalities in care and feeling abandoned when support was needed most”. One of those affected is a 23-year-old student who took almost two years before she was diagnosed with anorexia. At that point, the hospital told her it was one of the worst cases they had ever seen.
Response from Experts
A London GP said his workload with mentally ill patients had "increased sharply" in recent years. He believes that there is a lot of pressure on social media to get people to get a diagnosis, and that a lot of it is just the ups and downs of everyday life. Mental health charity welcomed the government’s announcement and signaled its willingness to contribute to the review. The National Autistic Society said: “We need urgent action because while the number of people applying for an assessment is currently falling, the average waiting time is skyrocketing.”
Key Statistics
NHS figures show that the number of adults aged 16 to 64 reporting mental health problems reached 22.6% in 2023-24, up from 17.6% in 2007. The rates are higher among young people and the unemployed. Now, 14% of adults report ADHD symptoms, up from 8% in 2007, although experts estimate that only about 5% or just under have clinically diagnosable ADHD symptoms. In March, around four million working-age adults in England and Wales applied for either invalidity or incapacity benefits.
Conclusion
The review aims to “thoroughly test assumptions and listen carefully to those most affected so that our recommendations are both honest and genuinely useful”. Investments are already being made in greater support in schools and the expansion of talk therapy offerings. The government wants to establish a baseline for diagnosis and quality of care, and to ensure everyone has timely access to an accurate diagnosis and effective support.
