NHS urges greater than 9 million individuals struggling with psychological well being circumstances to get remedy amid fears Britain’s nervousness ‘epidemic’ is fuelling worklessness disaster
More than nine million Brits suffering with mental health conditions are being urged to get therapy on the NHS amid an unprecedented campaign to save the UK’s worklessness crisis.
Health bosses have launched a mass media campaign across social networks, search engines and television amid fears an ‘anxiety epidemic’ is forcing people out of work for months on end.
The health service is taking drastic action as mental health is now the leading cause of long-term sickness, with more than half of the rise in disability benefits due to mental health claims last year.
A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that ’55 per cent of the post-pandemic rise in disability benefits can be accounted for by claims primarily for mental health.’
There has been a 26 per cent increase in the number of people referred to NHS talking therapies since 2018, with more than seven million referrals in the three years to the end of 2025.
But NHS bosses say millions more are currently ‘missing out on available support’, with an estimated 9.4million people suffering with a common mental health condition.
Brits are being urged to refer themselves for talking therapy for six conditions: social anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and phobias.
Talking therapy can include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling or guided self-help.
Last month, the Government’s work tsar – warned young Brits with ‘normal’ mental health conditions are at risk of being ‘written off’.
Nine million anxious Brits are being urged to get therapy on the NHS amid an unprecedented mass media campaign to save the UK’s worklessness crisis. Pictured: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting who said we cannot ignore a rise in mental health problems
Alan Milburn, who served as a Labour MP between 1992 and 2010, added that there is a ‘lost generation’ of people in Britain.
It comes as new figures show 16.1 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 are jobless – a 10-year high for unemployment among young people. While for those aged 25 to 34, it’s 4.7 per cent, the highest since 2017.
Earlier this week, it was revealed Britain’s overall unemployment had reached its highest for almost five years, reaching 5.2 per cent (1.9million people) for the three months to December 2025.
These figures do not include the 2.8million people economically inactive due to long-term sickness.
Dr Adrian James, NHS England’s national medical director for mental health and neurodiversity, said ‘millions more could benefit from vital NHS talking therapies’.
He added: ‘Through proven treatment and support available for free on the NHS, these conditions can be overcome to help people return to work, regain confidence or feel back to their old selves in social situations.
‘Our message is clear, if you’re struggling with your mental health, NHS talking therapies are here for you, and you can either self-refer or speak with your local GP practice’.
New figures show that over 670,000 people were treated with talking therapy last year. But with around one in five adults in England now affected by a common mental health condition, health bosses say millions more could benefit.
The latest NHS data shows one in four adults below the age of 45 have a diagnosable mental health condition, rising a quarter in a decade.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told The Telegraph: ‘We cannot sit back and ignore the rise in mental health problems in our society. Doing so would leave a generation of people to suffer alone, and leave our economy and society deprived of their talent and potential.’
NHS figures show 4.1 million people were in contact with mental health services in England in 2024/25, up from 2.6 million in 2016/17.
But officials believe they can cope with an increase in demand.
The major campaign comes after Labour was forced to abandon planned welfare cuts that would have made it harder to remain on sickness benefits.
A major backbench rebellion last summer forced Sir Keir Starmer into another U-turn.
