Access to talking therapies
On this page, we talk about the difficulties people have in accessing talking therapies, and the changes we'd like to see.
How easy is it to access talking therapies?
Many of you tell us you find talking therapies such as counselling and psychotherapy really helpful. A programme called Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) has improved England's situation.
But there are still far too many of you who are not getting the treatment you deserve when you need it.
We're a part of the We Need to Talk Coalition, a group made up of:
- Mental health charities
- Professional organisations
- Royal Colleges
- Service providers
The coalition believes in the effectiveness of talking therapies. Together, the coalition is calling for the maintenance and development of these treatments on the NHS.
"The assessment was incredible. I felt that someone finally understood. But when I was told that the wait after the assessment was 2 years, it felt like a real let down, offering a lifeline and snatching it away."
Talking therapies service user
What we're fighting for
Getting the right therapy at the right time is crucial. It can help people to better manage their condition and, in many cases, recover fully. Talking therapies should be available to everyone within 28 days of referral, and you should be offered a choice of therapy.
We want:
- A full choice of evidence-based psychological therapies made available to all
- A commitment to equality between mental and physical health
- Increased access to psychological therapies for all
- More research and an improved evidence base for psychological therapies
You can help us in this fight, by becoming a Mind campaigner.
