Access to talking therapies: We need to talk
The assessment was incredible... I felt that someone finally understood. When I was told that the wait after assessment was two years it felt like a real let down, offering a lifeline and [then] snatching it away.
Campaign for psychological therapies
Psychological therapies such as counselling and psychotherapy can be very effective for treating mental health problems. However, they are not always easily to get on the NHS and some people can wait years for treatment.
The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme has improved the situation and the Government has recently provided more funds so the service can be used by young people too.
But there are still far too many people who are not getting the treatment they need, when they need it. Mind's report, We need to talk: Getting the right therapy at the right time, backs up this claim with evidence from over 500 service users who shared their experiences with us.
We must make sure that talking therapies are made available to everyone within 28 days of referral and the service continues to improve by providing people with choice.
What we are fighting for
- Full choice of evidence-based psychological therapies should be made available to all.
- Therapy should be available within 28 days of requesting referral.
- Equality of access to therapy for everyone in England
Take action
Find out more
- Read We need to talk: Getting the right therapy at the right time
- The New Savoy Declaration (PDF) on access to psychological therapies.
- Read the We Need to Talk report on why the Government should improve access to psychological therapies.
- Read the While We are Waiting report on people's experiences of waiting for psychological therapies on the NHS.
The following organisations support We need to talk:
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |