NHS England data shows 2.16 million people sought mental health support in June, with the majority being working age adults.
The data shows that 1.44 million people contacted adult mental health care in June, which signals a warning for employers as stress, depression, and anxiety are major drivers of work-related ill-health.
NHS mental health teams were also in contact with 515,458 children and young people, while 298,869 people were being supported by services for learning disabilities and autism.
During the month of June, NHS mental health services received 476,781 new referrals and delivered 2.38 million care contacts. At the end of the month, 23,482 people were subject to the Mental Health Act, which included 16,990 people detained in hospital for treatment or assessment.
Ian Talbot, CEO at Healix Health, commented: “Demand for NHS mental health services has steadily risen this year, and with the system under growing pressure, public and private providers must work together to ensure support is there when people need it, not only when it’s in the spotlight.
“With today’s data covering June – the month after Mental Health Awareness Week – our figures show that in both 2023 and 2024, mental health queries rose by around 10 percent in the weeks following the campaign, but then tapered off. This pattern is a reminder that mental health isn’t seasonal, and with over 2m people experiencing work-related ill-health, half due to stress, depression, and anxiety, short-term awareness must be matched with long-term support for employees.
“That’s why we see corporate healthcare trusts as a way for employers to take greater control over mental health support, tailoring it to their people and making sure care is there all year round.”
