NHS Talking Therapies | News

Millions of adults facing debilitating anxiety conditions are missing out on treatment that could help them recover and get back on with their lives the NHS has said, as it launches a major new mental health campaign.

New analysis of NHS data shows that over 670,000 people were treated with NHS talking therapy care last year – nearly 70,000 more than pre-pandemic (12% increase on 2019) – with a record 83,000 accessing employment support through the service in 2025 to help them return to work (20% increase on 2024).

Yet around one in five adults in England (an estimated 9.4 million) are now affected by a common mental health condition – with the NHS’ top mental health doctor warning that millions are still missing out on available support.

In response, the NHS has launched a landmark new campaign urging those facing 6 common anxiety conditions that treatment is available for to come forward for support by self-referring online at nhs.uk/talk.

While conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) have a huge impact on people’s daily lives, a new NHS survey of over 2,000 adults found that nearly 3 in 5 (58%) delay seeking treatment and support as they feel the conditions are “not serious enough” – with 1 in 5 (21%) not seeking help at all.

NHS England’s campaign is backed by Eastenders actress Shona McGarty, TOWIE’s Charlie King, and former professional footballer and Professional Footballers’ Association chair, Clarke Carlisle – who are candidly sharing their own experiences to encourage others to come forward.

NHS talking therapies provide people with practical skills and techniques to overcome a range of mental health conditions like OCD, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and phobias. Anyone can self-refer online without needing to see their GP or have an already diagnosed mental health condition.

Our Trust members offer Talking therapies that provide free confidential psychological and wellbeing interventions for common mental health problems (anxiety disorders or depression). You can see what services are available on our Membership trusts page.