Mental health services treat record numbers

Around 3.8 million people were in contact with NHS mental health, learning disability and autism services over the last year, up almost two fifths compared to before the pandemic. NHS figures published show that 3,790,826 people were in contact with services during 2023-24, compared to 2,726,721 in 2018/19. This includes more than one million children, with 16-year-olds most likely to be seeking NHS support. NHS figures also show that one in five 16-year-old girls are in contact with services (70,963).