A quarter of UK adults lost in the mental health crisis, study finds

New research released during Mental Health Awareness Week, has revealed the depth of the UK’s growing mental health crisis, with millions of adults revealing they are unable to access correct treatment, whilst others are left confused, frustrated, or with a prescription of antidepressants to offer short-term help.

Findings show that more than 14 million UK adults have sought mental health support in the past five years.

Yet, 24 per cent admitted they didn’t know where to start when they recognised they needed help, and 1 in 3 people—over 4.5 million people—confessed that accessing support through the NHS was difficult.

Henry Anderson is co-founder of Finbogo, who commissioned the research.

Anderson said: “This is a silent crisis. These aren’t just statistics — these are people who need urgent treatment but are being failed by our public healthcare system.”

Of those who received NHS support, around 1 in 2 adults (47 per cent) said they were unsatisfied with the care they received. Long waiting times (52 per cent), lack of local services (27 per cent), and frustration in not knowing what kind of therapist was right for them (28 per cent) impacted how they felt about the treatment received.

The UK’s mental health landscape has been stretched to its limits in recent years.

With the impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis contributing to the rising levels of anxiety and depression among both adults and young people, demand for mental health support is at an all-time high.

But the support system simply hasn’t kept pace.

In many cases, people are being prescribed medication as a default, with 29 per cent of respondents saying they were given pills rather than therapeutic support.

And for those who can afford private therapy, the experience of trying to choose the right therapist from thousands online can feel like an impossible task.

Mahin Hamidi is a registered therapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Hamidi said: “The reality is that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.

“I’ve worked with clients facing grief, trauma, neurodiversity, addiction, abuse and more — and many come to me after feeling ignored or simply unable to access the treatment plan they need.

“People need safe, specialised support, not generic solutions.”

The research shows a clear shift in public sentiment: if money were no object, just 18 per cent of people would choose NHS services over private ones.

However, this shift only works if people know how to find the right therapist; now, 28 per cent say that process is frustrating or confusing.

Anderson said: “We created Finbogo to answer the most basic, most common question people face: ‘Where do I even start?’” adds Anderson.

“I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access therapy when they need it, and from a practitioner who can understand their needs and provide a bespoke treatment plan”, says Hamidi.

“Finbogo isn’t replacing the NHS. It’s supporting it. It’s meeting people where they are and helping them take control of their care.

“That’s the future of mental health.”