“NHS talking therapies completely changed my life”: NHS launches major campaign to support millions more people with anxiety
Millions of adults facing debilitating anxiety conditions are missing out on treatment that could help them recover and get back on with their lives the NHS has said, as it launches a major new mental health campaign.
New analysis of NHS data shows that over 670,000 people were treated with NHS talking therapy care last year – nearly 70,000 more than pre-pandemic (12% increase on 2019) – with a record 83,000 accessing employment support through the service in 2025 to help them return to work (20% increase on 2024).
Yet around one in five adults in England (an estimated 9.4 million) are now affected by a common mental health condition – with the NHS’ top mental health doctor warning that millions are still missing out on available support.
In response, the NHS has launched a landmark new campaign urging those facing 6 common anxiety conditions that treatment is available for to come forward for support by self-referring online at nhs.uk/talk.
While conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) have a huge impact on people’s daily lives, a new NHS survey of over 2,000 adults found that nearly 3 in 5 (58%) delay seeking treatment and support as they feel the conditions are “not serious enough” – with 1 in 5 (21%) not seeking help at all.
NHS England’s campaign is backed by Eastenders actress Shona McGarty, TOWIE’s Charlie King, and former professional footballer and Professional Footballers’ Association chair, Clarke Carlisle – who are candidly sharing their own experiences to encourage others to come forward.
NHS talking therapies provide people with practical skills and techniques to overcome a range of mental health conditions like OCD, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and phobias. Anyone can self-refer online without needing to see their GP or have an already diagnosed mental health condition.
Dr Adrian James, NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity said: “While it’s encouraging that thousands more people facing mental health conditions are accessing NHS support than before the pandemic, we know that millions more could benefit from vital NHS talking therapies.
“This landmark new campaign is a critical step to ensuring that everyone struggling with challenging but very common conditions like anxiety and PTSD knows that there is support available to help them get on with their lives again.
“Through proven treatment and support available for free on the NHS, these conditions can be overcome to help people return to work, regain confidence or feel back to their old selves in social situations.
“Our message is clear, if you’re struggling with your mental health, NHS talking therapies are here for you, and you can either self-refer or speak with your local GP practice”.
NHS talking therapies treatment involves talking to a trained professional in a safe space about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and can include methods such as CBT, counselling or guided self-help, depending on the mental health condition.
Latest official statistics, published by NHS England, show that people of working age (16 to 64) are more likely to have a common mental health condition than those aged 75 and over. Prevalence among those aged 16 to 64 was nearly 1 in 4 (22.6%), compared to around 1 in 10 of those aged 75 and over (10.2%).
The new campaign puts a spotlight on 6 common mental health conditions, which are often mistaken or underplayed, and can be treated by NHS talking therapies.
Common symptoms for these conditions include:
- frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours (OCD)
- long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations (social anxiety disorder)
- involuntarily and vividly reliving traumatic events in the form of flashbacks or nightmares (PTSD)
- having regular and sudden panic attacks, often for no apparent reason (panic disorder)
- having an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal (phobia)
- obsessive thoughts and worry about your appearance (body dysmorphic disorder)
Former Eastenders actress, Shona McGarty, said: “I was always a chatty child, but as I got older, everything changed. Around 15, I suddenly became painfully self-aware. I started overthinking, struggling to hold conversations, even though talking was literally part of my job.
“My social anxiety would happen when meeting new people, with colleagues or even at family gatherings. My heart would race, my hands would sweat, and sometimes I thought I might faint. I sometimes pretend to receive a phone call just to leave a social situation. People would say, “Shona’s so shy,” or “she’s so quiet,” and it really hurt.
“I’m worlds away from that level of panic now, because I’ve learned how to deal with it when it shows up. One thing that helps is imagining a little devil on my shoulder. I acknowledge it, and then I answer back: Thank you, but you’re wrong. I’m in control. I’m safe. People aren’t judging me; they’re listening because they want to hear me speak.
“But the biggest help of all has been talking about it. Acknowledging social anxiety instead of fighting it. You’d be amazed at how many people feel the same way. A problem shared really is a problem halved”.
Former professional footballer and mental health campaigner, Clarke Carlisle said: “For over a decade, my PTSD caused me to withdraw not just from the world, but more importantly, from my family. My symptoms would be at their worst over Christmas – I’d experience flashbacks, traumatic memories and racing thoughts, and feared the lead up to December for many years.
“Now, looking at the photo of myself and family celebrating my daughter’s 18th birthday during the festive period means the world to me. This was the first winter where I didn’t experience symptoms of PTSD – but it’s also a moment that simply wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t received treatment for my mental health, allowing me to talk through feelings and getting me to a place where I can spend precious moments with my family again”.
TOWIE’s Charlie King said: “The London Landmarks Half Marathon was a real turning point for me. After months of feeling incredibly low and demotivated because of crippling body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), signing up felt overwhelming, and I genuinely didn’t know if I’d see it through. When my BDD was at its worst, I had become reclusive, I’d hide behind a cap, and sometimes even looking at myself in the mirror when brushing my teeth would send me into a spiral. But through therapy, I’ve come to understand it, understand my thought-patterns and tools to manage it.
“Crossing that finish line was the first time in a long time that I felt proud of myself. Similar to my recovery journey, 13 miles once felt impossible, but taking it step by step showed me that I could keep pushing forward.
“So, I look at this photo, and I can truly appreciate myself. None of this would have been possible without therapy, and I am really proud of taking the first step”.
Media medic, Dr Nighat Arif GP said: “The new NHS poll reveals a worrying ‘blind spot’ in public awareness around many common mental health conditions linked to anxiety. This could mean that people are missing out on treatment because they don’t recognise symptoms, are embarrassed by them, or think they are not serious enough to get help for. If your life, work or relationships are being affected by OCD, phobias, body dysmorphic disorder, social anxiety or PTSD, remember that support is available with NHS talking therapies. It’s free, and your GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself online. You’ll speak to a trained therapist about your thoughts and feelings and learn practical skills and techniques so you can overcome your condition and help get you back to living your life”.
You can find out more and refer yourself for NHS Talking Therapies at nhs.uk/talk.
NHS Talking Therapies can treat common anxiety conditions.
If you’re struggling with obsessions and compulsions, anxiety in social situations, flashbacks of a traumatic event or with panic attacks, obsessing about your appearance, or a phobia – being able to get on with our life again is cause for celebration.
NHS Talking Therapies treatment involves talking to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Treatment can be in-person, on the phone or an online course. It gives you practical skills and techniques to overcome a range of mental health conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and phobias.
NHS Talking Therapies are effective, confidential and free treatments that can also be delivered in your chosen language – including British Sign Language (BSL), and for those whose first language is not English, via multi-lingual therapists or confidential interpreters.