Dr Nicky Main , the UK and Europe Adult Clinical Lead for a leading provider of AIpowered mental health support , Wysa , explores strategies to address the unmet demand for mental health services . As a British Psychological Society member , Dr Main believes digital solutions hold untapped potential and can overcome fragmented systems .

NHS Digital ’ s Mental Health Bulletin estimates that 3.25 million people were in contact with NHS-funded secondary mental health , learning disability or autism services at some point during 2021 / 22 . This is around 5.8 % of the population , with significant variation in age groups varying from 14.8 % of 11 – 15 year olds and 13.9 % of 16 – 19 year olds to 2.7 % of 65 – 69 year olds . It ’ s worth noting that these figures do not include people who were only in contact with NHS Talking Therapies services .

We ’ re also seeing a growth in the presentation of mental health concerns within general practice – up to 40 % of GP appointments are taken up by mental health issues . GPs have a broad education in mental health , but many are not equipped or do not have the time to give tailored and expert advice and the result is that people are often left without professional support . Ambulance crews in England are spending 1.8m hours a year – the

The number of people accessing talking therapy through the NHS for conditions such as anxiety and depression has increased by 21.5 %, according to the latest data . In 2021 / 22 , 1.81 million referrals were made to the NHS Talking Therapies programme , compared to 1.41 million in the previous 12 months . There is simply not sufficient capacity within the system to cope with this level of demand .

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