Why does it take so long to get mental health support in the UK?

In the UK, far too many people are left waiting weeks or even months for mental health support. According to the NHS England Mental Health Dashboard, waiting times for Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) often exceed recommended guidelines, leaving those in need without timely help. Long delays like these can worsen mental health conditions and increase pressure on emergency services.

In fact, the Children's Commissioner for England reported that some children are waiting more than six months for support, an unacceptable timeframe when someone is struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma. For adults, the picture is not much better, with many regions facing shortages in therapists and overloaded services that push waiting lists higher every year.

This is exactly why VÕS HELP exists.

We believe access to mental health support should take seconds, not weeks. As the fastest mental health app in the UK, VÕS HELP connects people to real, qualified mental health listeners in under 60 seconds. Whether you’re at home in Leeds or anywhere across the UK, you don’t need to wait anymore, just open the app and talk.

Whether you're searching for the best mental he

alth app in Leeds, or simply need someone to listen, VÕS HELP delivers fast, affordable, and professional support directly to your phone without the delays.

Mental health matters, and mental wellness in Leeds should be accessible to all. VÕS HELP is redefining the future of mental health by making it immediate, human, and local.

Sources:

1. NHS England Mental Health Dashboardhttps://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/publication/mental-health-dashboard

2. Children's Commissioner Report – Access to Supporthttps://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/young-peoples-mental-health-services

3. House of Commons Library – Mental Health Services in Englandhttps://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9438

4. NHS Digital – Psychological Therapies: Annual Report on the Use of IAPT Serviceshttps://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/psychological-therapies-report-on-the-use-of-iapt-services

5. Public Health England – Mental Health and Wellbeing JSNAhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-wellbeing-jsna-toolkit

6. Department for Education – State of the Nation: Children and Young People's Mental Healthhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2022-children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing