Mind responds to the findings of the Fonagy review
Today (Friday 9th October) the UK government published their independent review into the prevalence of mental health conditions, autism and ADHD, led by British psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist Peter Fonagy.
The findings reveal that there has been a genuine rise in the number of people developing mental health problems, particularly among young people.
The review also found that:
• Mental distress has increased significantly in the last three decades, particularly among children and young people, with anxiety and depression becoming more common as a result.
• Uncertainty around housing, employment and finances, greater educational pressures, social media and loneliness are together contributing to a substantial increase in mental health problems and self-harm.
• The current system is leaving people facing long waits to get the support they need, rather than being able to get help early before their mental health deteriorates further.
Mind's Chief Executive Dr Sarah Hughes was a member of the Review's steering group and co-chaired a topic group exploring the factors driving the increase in people developing mental health problems. Mind also held seven focus groups with our lived experience network and Youth Voice network to inform the Review.
Mind is now calling on the UK government to adopt a Same-Day Open Access model in its upcoming Mental Health Strategy for England, where people who reach out for help get an immediate, meaningful response, not a waiting list or a referral into an opaque pathway.
The first interaction a person has in this system is a conversation with a professional where they take the time to properly understand the person’s needs and circumstances. This conversation is the foundation for identifying the right support. That might be clinical care, peer support, help with housing or employment, or a combination of these.
Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said:
"The Fonagy Review echoes what we’ve seen across our services for years. Increased need for support is not due to a ‘snowflake generation’ or a case of overdiagnosis. Young people are crying out for help with their mental health because of genuine life challenges, and it’s time to listen.
"Our current mental health system is letting young people down when they most need help. Previously the response to rising demand has been more rationing and gatekeeping of support as decades of underfunding has left the system unable to cope. Instead, we urgently need to move to a model of same day open access.
"Providing help earlier prevents needs escalating. The right care, from someone who really sees and understands you, can prevent years of distress and worsening outcomes.
"We welcome the UK Government's commitment today to provide earlier, more open access support, but long term we need to ensure people can get the help they need on the day they reach out. With the new mental health strategy on the horizon, it's time to ensure that our system works for everyone. This report needs to be a watershed moment to make the change that people want – and need – to see."
