Bluest Monday on record as new mental health referrals up by 420,000


PAR analysed the NHS’s Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics to reveal that new mental health referrals have increased by 420,000 in under two years (January 2022 versus October 2024). This is over 345,000 higher than in July 2020 - during the height of the pandemic when local movement restrictions came into force, but referrals were active.
NHS data also reveals that 1.98 million people were in contact with mental health services at the end of October, an increase of approximately 420,000 since January 2022 (1.56 million). The majority of these (1.35 million) were in contact with adult mental health services, while referrals for talking therapies are at an all-time high, hitting 1.82 million in 2023-4.
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Hide AdThe mental health crisis has resulted in a 7.1% increase in suicides (2023 v 22), hitting 7,055 in data revealed by the UK Government this month. This is a 16% increase since 1999.
The significant and ongoing rise in mental illness and mental health referrals comes at a time when NHS services are reporting increased strain. Despite this, new treatment pathways to support mental wellbeing have been sidelined by the Government. Co-founder of PAR, Tara Austin says:
“The latest NHS data paints a shocking picture, and with the suicide rate now at a 20 year high, the Government must go further in developing new treatment options to save lives. Antidepressant use in England has doubled over the last decade and 1 in every 10 pounds spent by the NHS is for mental health treatments, yet there have been no significant developments since SSRI antidepressants were developed more than 50 years ago.
“Labour has spoken about the importance of evidence-based care, but to date they have continued with the old Conservative policy of sidelining treatment options due to stigma. Studies have found that psilocybin has the potential to be a highly effective medicine for people with treatment-resistant depression, addictions, and other mental health conditions. A 2022 study of psilocybin found over half of participants were in remission from their depression symptoms 12 months after only two doses. No other intervention has been shown to have such significant long-term benefits on so few doses.
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Hide Ad“The Government must start to look at the data and listen to the science, which has support from CALM, SANE and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Psilocybin is consistently found to be a safe treatment and effective treatment for depression, anorexia, OCD, eating disorders and even addictions to alcohol and tobacco.
“A Home Office decision to reschedule psilocybin could open up new treatments in healthcare, not only to significantly improve quality of life for those battling with their mental health, but also to reduce pressures on the NHS. We’re at a crisis point for the country’s mental wellbeing, so the Government needs to step up and take action. Reschedule Psilocybin, save lives.”