The Story Will a review into mental health fix a system in crisis?
Dec 4, 2025
Eleanor Hayward, Health editor at The Times, and Dr. Tony Lloyd, a counselling psychologist and former CEO of the ADHD Foundation, delve into the government's independent review on mental health and ADHD services. They discuss rising diagnoses, the pressures of long waiting lists, and alarming welfare costs. Lloyd shares insights from his own late ADHD diagnosis and challenges the narrative of overdiagnosis, urging a shift towards better support for neurodiverse individuals. Together, they navigate the urgent need for systemic reform.
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Independent Review Targets Soaring Demand
- The government has launched an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services led by Professor Peter Fonagy and other experts.
- It will consult patients, clinicians and leaders to produce recommendations aimed at reforming services and reducing waiting lists.
Rising Diagnoses And Prescriptions
- Data show a clear rise in mental health diagnoses and prescriptions, especially among young adults.
- NHS surveys and prescribing figures point to significant increases in anxiety, depression and ADHD medication use over the past decade.
Costs And Waiting Lists Drive Urgency
- Waiting lists and rising welfare costs have made mental health an urgent political issue.
- The Treasury forecasts large increases in sickness and disability spending, driven largely by mental health and behavioural conditions.