Campaign puts spotlight on underplayed mental health conditions

A six-week campaign is putting the spotlight on six often mistaken or underplayed conditions which can be treated by NHS Talking Therapies.

(c) Nik Shuliahin/Unsplash

(c) Nik Shuliahin/Unsplash

The initiative follows NHS survey findings that nearly three in five (58%) delay seeking treatment and support and one in five (21%) do not seek help at all for common conditions such as OCD, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and phobias.

Dr Adrian James, NHS England's national medical director for mental health and neurodiversity, said: ‘This landmark new campaign is a critical step to ensuring that everyone struggling with challenging but very common conditions like anxiety and PTSD knows that there is support available to help them get on with their lives again.'

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.

People can access NHS Talking Therapies through their GP or by self-referral at nhs.uk/talk.

Call for evidence on Cross-Government mental health strategy

Call for evidence on Cross-Government mental health strategy

By Lee Peart 18 May 2026

A call for evidence has been launched on a new cross-Government mental health strategy.

Stop smoking alliance shortlisted for health inequalities award

By Lee Peart 12 May 2026

A stop smoking initiative in Bristol has been shortlisted in the Innovation in Reducing Health Inequalities category of HM sister title The MJ’s Achievement ...

Charity urges NHS to embed welfare advice in mental health services

By Lee Peart 12 May 2026

The NHS has been urged to embed welfare advice in mental health services in a report by the Centre for Mental Health.


Popular articles by Lee Peart