The latest data from mental health charity Mind uncovers how life in the UK is affecting our wellbeing — and what we can do to change the story.
Mind's Big Mental Health Report 2025 offers the most comprehensive picture yet of mental health across England and Wales.
Drawing on surveys of over 18,000 people, alongside national data and expert analysis, it tells us a lot about the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for change.
Here are some of the key findings:
Mental health problems are increasing
It may not come as a surprise that mental health is getting worse across the board, but the report reveals specifically that over 20% of adults in England are now living with a common mental health problem such as depression or anxiety.
Although mental illness can, and does, affect anyone, rates are higher in women (24.2%) than men (15.4%) and young people are particularly impacted, with prevalence rates for those aged 16-64 rising to 25%.
The economic and social costs of mental ill health in England are estimated at £300 billion a year (in 2022 prices) – nearly double the annual budget of the NHS in England.
Financial cuts and poverty
A record 4.5 million children in the UK are growing up in relative poverty, which matters in this context because children from the least well-off 20% of households are four times more likely to experience serious mental health difficulties.
In addition, widespread cuts to public funding are documented in the report as a key contributor to declining mental health: in England, councils' core funding per resident was 18% lower in 2024 than it was in 2010.
Waiting times are making people feel worse
Seeking professional support is essential for those experiencing mental health problems, but long waiting times are exacerbating symptoms and putting pressure on the wider healthcare system.
Over one in three respondents reported a deterioration in their mental health while waiting for an appointment with their GP or a voluntary/third sector organisation and of those, over three in four reported feeling hopeless, and 30% of those waiting for support had to access help elsewhere, including emergency services, A&E, and crisis lines.
Lack of data and support for ADHD
While ADHD is not a mental health problem (it's a form of neurodiversity), people with ADHD are much more likely to experience a mental health difficulty like anxiety or depression, and there's growing concern around the waiting times for assessment and support.
The report highlights there is no official list of ADHD services, no agreed measure to calculate assessment waiting times, and no duty to report the data, which means the full picture of ADHD assessment and diagnosis isn't clear.
There are also huge variations in access and waiting times, with some people waiting up to 10 years for an assessment, and many left without a diagnosis, support, or a clear path forward.
Support during this time matters: 63% of those waiting said they wanted help managing their mental health, yet few had access to it.
World events, money, and health are contributing to feelings of anxiety
The global landscape has shifted dramatically in the last year or so, and this is reflected in the data, with adults saying the leading sources of worry include social and political issues, money, and health.
Meanwhile, 82% of young people reported feeling anxious about war and politics, and 87% about climate change, with people experiencing mental health problems more affected than the general population.
It's clear that mental health is shaped not just by our personal circumstances, but by the wider world around us.
Attitudes towards mental health appear to be sliding backwards
Referencing the latest Attitudes to Mental Illness (AMI) survey, Mind says it "paints a concerning picture of public attitudes towards mental health." After years of progress, we're now seeing signs of reversal.
For example, understanding of mental health is slipping, with 3.5% scoring lower on mental health knowledge in 2024 than 2023, falling below 2009 baseline levels for the first time.
Attitudes are less accepting, with the general public becoming more fearful of people coming into their neighbourhood to obtain mental health services, and less likely to want to work with someone with a mental health problem, highlighting the need for continued investment in anti-stigma campaigns and robust mental health education.
Recommendations
While these findings are sobering, they also provide a clear roadmap for change. Mind's recommendations call for the government to:
- Improve timely access to quality mental health support
- Support young people with their mental health to stop them reaching crisis
- Tackle mental health stigma and discrimination with targeted interventions
- Address the social factors which contribute to poor mental health
As Dr Sara Hughes, CEO of Mind states: "The UK Government says mental health should be treated as an equal priority to physical health, but that promise must be backed by action. This starts with a conversation that recognises the scale of the problem, leads with compassion for those who are struggling right now, and ensures timely, quality care for all at its core."
The message is clear: without urgent action, mental health will remain a national crisis — but with a commitment to care we can build a future where everyone has the chance to recover.
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