New research released today, commissioned by healthcare platform Finbogo, has revealed the depth ….during Mental Health Awareness Week, has revealed the depth of the UK’s growing mental health crisis, with millions of adults revealing they are unable to access correct treatment, whilst others are left confused, frustrated, or with a prescription of antidepressants to offer short-term help.

Findings show that more than 14 million UK adults have sought mental health support in the past five years. Yet, 24% admitted they didn’t know where to start when they recognised they needed help, and 1 in 3 people—over 4.5 million people—confessed that accessing support through the NHS was difficult.

“This is a silent crisis. These aren’t just statistics — these are people who need urgent treatment but are being failed by our public healthcare system," says Henry Anderson, co-founder of Finbogo, a ground-breaking digital platform designed to streamline public access to private healthcare practitioners.

Of those who received NHS support, around 1 in 2 adults (47%) said they were unsatisfied with the care they received. Long waiting times (52%), lack of local services (27%), and frustration in not knowing what kind of therapist was right for them (28%) impacted how they felt about the treatment received.

The UK’s mental health landscape has been stretched to its limits in recent years. With the impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis contributing to the rising levels of anxiety and depression among both adults and young people, demand for mental health support is at an all-time high.

But the support system simply hasn’t kept pace.

In many cases, people are being prescribed medication as a default, with 29% of respondents saying they were given pills rather than therapeutic support. And for those who can afford private therapy, the experience of trying to choose the right therapist from thousands online can feel like an impossible task.

“The reality is that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all,” says Mahin Hamidi, a registered therapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). “I’ve worked with clients facing grief, trauma, neurodiversity, addiction, abuse and more — and many come to me after feeling ignored or simply unable to access the treatment plan they need. People need safe, specialised support, not generic solutions.”

The research shows a clear shift in public sentiment: if money were no object, just 18% of people would choose NHS services over private ones. However, this shift only works if people know how to find the right therapist; now, 28% say that process is frustrating or confusing.

“We created Finbogo to answer the most basic, most common question people face: ‘Where do I even start?’” adds Anderson.

“I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access therapy when they need it, and from a practitioner who can understand their needs and provide a bespoke treatment plan", says Hamidi.

“Finbogo isn’t replacing the NHS. It’s supporting it. It’s meeting people where they are and helping them take control of their care. That’s the future of mental health.”
 

References

1 – Research was conducted by One Poll on behalf of Finbogo, with 2000 UK residents during May 2025.