A national conversation about mental health in Wales
This report is for anyone who wants to better understand the experiences and views of Wales’ mental health services, directly from people with mental health problems.
Overview
We set out to understand the experiences and views of people with mental health problems in Wales.
Through a survey and focus groups, we gathered insights from 177 people on what it’s like trying to get support for a mental health problem in Wales, how services can improve and how people want to be involved in shaping the mental health system.
Key findings at a glance
The results of this research paint a picture of a system under pressure. With those receiving support lacking information and a voice in their treatment.
Access, quality and connectivity of support are all key themes in the views gathered. We also heard of the impact of significant waiting times leading to a deterioration in mental health, and feelings of being lost in the system.
When asked for priorities for change, this is what people told us needs to be improved:
- Access to support
- Quality of support
- Workforce training
- Crisis care
- Connected services
People also told us they are struggling with:
- Long waiting lists for mental health services
- Difficulty navigating the system
- Inconsistent quality of support
- Lack of crisis-care and joined-up services
- Not having the opportunity to be involved in improving the system.
Lived experience priorities for change
Be honest - help is not available. Quit telling people to reach out when there’s nothing there.
Issue:
Waiting times are too long and there aren’t enough services available.
What’s needed:
- Reduce waiting times for therapy and specialist care.
- Ensure services are available at all hours.
- Improve clarity around navigating the mental health system.
Better services that work. My husband needed cbt but was only offered it during work hours. he couldn’t access it.
Issue:
Support is often inconsistent and not tailored to individual needs.
What’s needed:
- Evidence-based treatments.
- Train professionals in compassion, empathy, and communication.
- Ensure a range of treatment options are available.
Better education for trainee mental health nurses to incorporate psychological skills.
Issue:
Professionals need better training to support mental health needs effectively.
What’s needed:
- Improve training for doctors, nurses, and therapists
- Increase training in specialist therapies (e.g., Eye movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy)
- Recruit staff with lived experience of mental health problems.
In our local area, you have to attempt suicide multiple times before getting help.
Issue:
People in crisis struggle to find safe, supportive spaces.
What’s needed:
- Improve crisis care facilities in A&E
- Increase community crisis support like crisis cafés.
- Ensure inpatient wards are adequately staffed and provide therapeutic care.
Inter-agency working ensures no one slips through the cracks.
Issue:
Services operate in silos, making it hard for people to get seamless care.
What’s needed:
- Improve collaboration between mental health services and social care.
- Share information more effectively so people don’t have to repeat their stories.
- Develop a ‘no wrong door’ approach for accessing support.
Next steps: What we’re doing about it
People shared powerful first-hand experiences, highlighting the real impact of system failures and the need for change. These will shape our campaigning priorities and ways of working at Mind Cymru.
You said:
We will:
"Waiting list are too long."
We will advocate for better funding, shorter waiting times and better quality of care.
"We feel unheard."
We will develop more ways for people with lived experience to shape services.
"Crisis care is lacking."
We will push for better crisis support and work with local Minds to strengthen community-based support.
How to get involved
If you would like to help shape our services and campaigns, you can:
- Sign up to our Lived Experience and Anti-stigma Newsletter (18+)
- Sign up to our Youth Voice Network (11-24)
- Become a Mind campaigner
- Other ways to get involved
- Follow our social media channels for the latest opportunities and news.