VÕS HELP: The Fastest Mental Health App in the UK and Why That Speed Matters
- James Priestley
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
1. The Crisis of Waiting Times in UK Mental Health Services
Long waits for mental health support in the UK are well documented. For instance:
Rethink Mental Illness reports that thousands of people wait more than 18 months for mental health treatment, eight times longer than for comparable physical health care. (rethink.org)
A Children’s Commissioner report revealed that in 2022–23, 270,300 children and young people were still waiting for support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with average waits of 35 days, and some waiting over two years. (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk)
Moreover, a survey by Rethink found that 80% of people say their mental health deteriorated while waiting for treatment, with 42% needing urgent or emergency care, and 25% attempting suicide during the wait. (rethink.org)
These figures paint a grim picture. Long waits are not only emotionally and psychologically damaging, they can literally cost lives.
2. Speed Saves Lives and Supports the Economy
A Guardian article highlights how reducing waiting times can actually have positive economic consequences. Researchers estimate that cutting delays by just one month could help 300,000 more people per year access mental health treatment, improving employment retention and potentially saving the UK government £1 billion annually. (theguardian.com)
This statistic underscores that faster access to help is not just personally vital, it is socially and economically imperative.
3. Why Super Fast Access Makes All the Difference
It is not just about getting help, it is when you get help. Evidence shows that even relatively modest delays, like waiting up to 18 weeks for therapy, are associated with worsening symptoms and psychological distress. (journals.plos.org)
Add to that the well documented impact of waiting on outcomes, including increased risk of crisis, hospitalisation and emergency care. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
4. Enter VÕS HELP: Instant Support When It Matters
VÕS HELP positions itself as the fastest mental health app in the UK, promising connection to a trained adviser in under 60 seconds. (voshelp.com)
By comparison, NHS services including IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) programmes typically take weeks between referral and treatment. (voshelp.com)
5. The Crucial Role of Instant Access
What makes such rapid support so critical? Several points stand out:
Prevents deterioration: Swift access means people get help when they are most vulnerable before anxiety, depression or distress escalate.
Reduces crisis incidence: Early support may prevent escalation to emergency admissions or self harm scenarios.
Improves outcomes: Brief interventions early on can significantly enhance engagement and treatment effectiveness.
Eases system pressure: Quick help via app can relieve strain on overstretched NHS mental health services, long wait lists and limited staff.
6. A Real World Comparison
To illustrate: between referral and treatment, many in IAPT wait up to 6 weeks, and 95% begin treatment within 18 weeks. (voshelp.com) But with VÕS HELP, users can speak to someone within one minute. That is a dramatic reduction in delay.
7. Beyond Speed: Quality and Accessibility
Of course, speed alone is not enough. The app must be safe, confidential and effective. VÕS HELP emphasises:
Anonymity: Users can speak without fear of judgment. (voshelp.com)
Trained advisers: Ensures support is meaningful, not just chat based.
Designed for crisis prevention: The platform is explicitly built for urgent and early intervention.
8. In Summary: Why VÕS HELP Matters Now
Current system delays are harmful with long waits causing people’s mental health to deteriorate, sometimes fatally.
Faster access has demonstrable benefits for both individuals and the wider economy.
VÕS HELP delivers support in seconds not weeks or months.
That speed can mean the difference between crisis and stability.
References
Rethink Mental Illness, “New analysis of NHS data on mental health waiting times” (Feb 21, 2025) (rethink.org)
Children’s Commissioner for England, “Over a quarter of a million children still waiting for mental health support” (Mar 15, 2024) (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk)
Rethink Mental Illness, “New survey reveals stark impact of NHS mental health treatment waiting times” (Jun 25, 2024) (rethink.org)
The Guardian, “Cutting mental health waiting times could save UK £1bn a year” (May 21, 2025) (theguardian.com)
Punton, Dodd and McNeill, “You are on the waiting list delays within mental health services in the UK” (PLOS ONE, 2022) (journals.plos.org)
Reichert et al., “The impact of waiting time on patient outcomes” (PMC/NCBI, 2018) (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
VÕS HELP website – claims about “under 60 seconds” connection, anonymity, and average NHS IAPT wait times. (voshelp.com)





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