Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a major independent review into the drivers behind the UK's escalating mental health crisis, following a divisive public reaction to his comments about potential overdiagnosis.
From TV Gaffe to Government Review
The initiative was sparked by the Labour MP's appearance on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg in October 2025. Caught off-guard by a question on whether mental health is being overdiagnosed, Streeting answered simply: yes. He argued that too many people were being "written off" while simultaneously failing to receive proper support.
The response was immediate and polarising. The Health Secretary was inundated with messages from clinicians and the public, split between strong agreement and visceral disagreement. One particularly stinging message from a patient highlighted the core contradiction: "Far from overdiagnosis, I can’t even get an appointment to get a diagnosis." Streeting admits he agreed with the sentiment but had failed to articulate the complexity of the issue.
Unprecedented Demand Straining a Failing System
The review, led by esteemed experts Professor Peter Fonagy, Sir Simon Wessely, and Professor Gillian Baird, will scrutinise the evidence behind soaring rates of mental health conditions, autism, and ADHD. The scale of the challenge is stark.
Official data shows a near 50% rise in adult mental health problems between 1993 and 2023. Referrals for children and young people jumped by approximately 50% in just two years during the pandemic. Perhaps most strikingly, waiting lists for autism assessments are now 13 times longer than they were in 2019.
Despite a more than 50% increase in mental health spending since 2019, services are buckling under the demand. A recent investigation revealed around 109,000 young people waiting over a year for a first specialist appointment.
Personal Drives and a Push for Evidence-Based Solutions
Streeting cites personal experiences as a powerful motivator for action. He revealed a loved one attempted suicide after struggling to access support, while a family member's mental health suffered due to shortages of ADHD medication. Conversely, he has witnessed the transformative benefit of an early autism diagnosis for a child's education and support.
The review has garnered backing from major organisations including Mind, the Mental Health Foundation, the National Autistic Society, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, called it a "huge opportunity to really understand what is driving increasing levels of mental illness, especially among our young people."
While the review gathers evidence, the government has begun scaling up services. Since the election, over 7,000 extra mental health staff have been recruited, NHS Talking Therapies sessions have been increased, and new mental health emergency departments are being built. Mental health support is now in almost half of UK schools.
"To get the prescription right, we first need to accurately diagnose what is causing the surge in mental ill health," Streeting concluded. "That is how we will ensure that everyone gets the support they need, when they need it."
