The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a stark warning about the state of mental health services in England, pointing to high demand, long delays, and insufficient support for those in urgent need.
Based on a survey of over 14,000 people who use community mental health services, the CQC found:
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More than 40% of respondents said they waited too long to access care.
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Nearly one in three waited over three months for their first appointment.
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42% reported that their mental health worsened while waiting, rising to 71% among those waiting over six months.
The report also revealed worrying gaps in crisis support, especially for young people using Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS):
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One-third of CAMHS users didn’t know who to contact during a crisis.
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Over a third said they didn’t receive enough help when they needed it most.
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36% reported that their families or carers received no support during these times.
CQC Chief Executive Ian Trenholm said the findings are a “clear warning” that the system is under significant strain and called for urgent action to tackle workforce shortages and improve access to timely, effective care.
Source: CQC
