Over the past year, nearly 3.8 million people sought help from NHS mental health, learning disability, and autism services – a rise of almost 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Recent NHS data reveals that 3,790,826 individuals engaged with these services in 2023-24, up from 2,726,721 in 2018-19.
Among these figures, over one million children accessed support, with 16-year-olds being the age group most likely to seek help. Alarmingly, one in five 16-year-old girls (70,963) were in contact with mental health services. To address this growing need, the NHS is expanding mental health teams in schools, aiming to provide access to in-classroom support for more than half of all pupils in England by Spring 2025.
Efforts are also underway to review the care provided to patients with severe mental health conditions, ensuring they receive comprehensive and tailored support. Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s National Mental Health Director, highlighted the strides made through increased investment under the NHS Long Term Plan, while acknowledging the work still needed to meet the rising demand.
Baroness Merron, Minister for Mental Health, praised the progress but emphasised the need for shorter waiting times. Plans include recruiting 8,500 additional mental health professionals and implementing early intervention initiatives in schools and communities to tackle the root causes of mental health issues.
