Mental health research reveals that one in six attempt suicide while waiting for psychological therapies

The next Government must make talking therapies a priority, says the We Need to Talk coalition. Its newly published study adds further evidence to the mental health crisis by detailing unacceptable waiting times for NHS treatment that result in a high proportion of suicide attempts and self-harming.

Mental health services are unable to cope with demand for psychological therapies, according to the investigation. The We Need to Talk coalition, which includes the leading mental health charity Mind, says that huge variations in referral rates and waiting times around the country are unacceptable and are making people more unwell.

Indeed the delays in accessing treatment can be disastrous for some patients, the report warns. In a survey of 2,000 patients, one in six said they had attempted suicide while waiting for treatment, four in 10 said they had self-harmed, and two thirds said their condition had deteriorated before they had a chance to see a mental health professional.

The report, which focuses on referrals for treatment under Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, also reveals stark variations in the number of patients being referred and treated on time in different parts of England.

Paul Farmer, chair of We Need to Talk and chief executive of Mind, said: “Our investigation shows that providers, frontline staff and those who use services are all united in the view that mental health services aren’t currently set up to cope with demand.

“We know that in some parts of the country investment in IAPT and other models has transformed lives as people have been able to access the help they need when they need it. But far too many are facing unacceptably long waits or are struggling to even get a referral. This simply isn’t good enough.

“At the same time as people are waiting for psychological therapies, prescriptions for antidepressants rise and rise and we have seen mental health services struggle to cope with the demand for beds and other crisis services.

“All three main political parties have been in power in the time we have had IAPT, so we know the commitment is there but we have yet to see the ambitions of the programme made a reality on the ground. Whoever forms our next Government must redouble their efforts and make this a priority, ensuring fair access and establishing waiting times targets so that no matter where you live, you can get the help you need when you need it.

“We are calling on them to ensure the NHS in England offers a full range of evidence-based psychological therapies to everyone who needs them within 28 days of requesting a referral.”