Health · Mental Health · 4 hrs ago
Review says rising youth distress is real and services are falling short
An independent review of mental health, ADHD and autism in England found that mental distress has increased, especially among young people.
Its chair, Professor Peter Fonagy, rejected the claim that overdiagnosis explains the rise in people seeking help.
The review says demand has overwhelmed services, leaving long waits for mental health care and support for neurodevelopmental differences.
Some waiting lists are not included in official figures.
Ministers have accepted a proposal for stronger regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, many of which are currently provided privately.
The review also recommends clearer government accountability and a 10-year plan to bring mental health and neurodevelopmental support into one service.
It says access should be based on need, while the review gives limited detail on resources and does not call for higher health spending targets.
The proposals are expected to feed into an upcoming mental health strategy, but the review says wider reform will require new funding.
An independent review found that mental distress has substantially worsened across the population, particularly among young people.
The review said rising distress and demand for support with neurodevelopmental differences are real and tied to social changes.
It found that current services are not meeting demand, with long waits for mental health and neurodevelopmental support.
The Guardian editorial said overdiagnosis is not the main explanation for the rise in young people seeking help.
The review proposed stronger regulation of ADHD and autism assessments and a 10-year plan to bring mental health and neurodevelopmental support into one service.
- Who
- Young people and others experiencing mental distress or needing neurodevelopmental support.
- What
- An independent review found distress has worsened and services are falling short.
- When
- Published last Friday, according to the Guardian editorial published on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- The review linked rising distress and support needs to social changes, while demand has overwhelmed services.
The independent review and Guardian editorial
Some rightwing politicians and commentators
Cause of rising demand
The independent review and Guardian editorial
Rising psychological distress and support needs are real and tied to social changes.
Some rightwing politicians and commentators
Medicalisation of ordinary states of mind is behind the rise in young people seeking help.
Overdiagnosis
The independent review and Guardian editorial
Prof Peter Fonagy said Wes Streeting was completely wrong to suggest conditions and disorders were being overdiagnosed.
Some rightwing politicians and commentators
Some politicians and commentators have argued that overmedicalisation helps explain the rise.
completely wrong
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Review chair
- Prof Peter Fonagy
- Review scope
- Mental health, ADHD and autism in England
- Proposed plan
- A 10-year plan to combine mental health and neurodevelopmental support
- Assessment regulation
- Stronger regulation of ADHD and autism assessments
Sources
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