Mental health waiting times in England

Mental health waiting times refer to how long people typically wait for NHS mental health services after being referred for support. Waiting times vary widely across England and depend on the type of service required, local NHS provision, and available capacity.

This page provides independent, factual information about NHS mental health waiting times in England. It explains how referral pathways work, typical waiting time ranges, and why waiting times differ depending on where people live.

What are NHS mental health services?

NHS mental health services provide assessment, treatment and support for a wide range of mental health conditions. Services are delivered by specialist teams and may include talking therapies, community mental health services, crisis services, and support for children and young people.

Access to NHS mental health services usually begins through a GP referral, self-referral to certain services, or referral from another healthcare professional.

This website does not provide medical advice or clinical guidance. If you have concerns about your mental health, you should contact a qualified healthcare professional.

How NHS mental health referral pathways work

Mental health services in England are commissioned and delivered locally. This means referral routes, service availability and access criteria can vary between areas.

In general, NHS mental health pathways may include:

• Referral to talking therapies services
• Assessment by community mental health teams
• Access to specialist or secondary care services where appropriate

There are separate pathways for:

• Adults
• Children and young people (CAMHS)

Because services are commissioned locally by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), waiting times and access arrangements differ across England.

Typical NHS mental health waiting times

Published NHS data indicates that waiting times for mental health services vary depending on the type of support required and local service demand.

In many areas:

• Talking therapies waiting times range from weeks to several months
• Community mental health services may involve longer waits, depending on complexity and capacity
• Children and young people's mental health services (CAMHS) often experience extended waiting lists in some regions

Waiting times are influenced by referral volumes, workforce availability and service pressures. Actual waiting times for individuals may vary depending on clinical priority and local circumstances.

Why mental health waiting times vary by area

Mental health waiting times differ across England due to factors such as:

• Local commissioning arrangements
• Demand for services
• Availability of trained mental health professionals
• Differences in service models between areas

As mental health services are organised locally, waiting times can vary significantly between towns, regions and NHS trusts.

Mental health waiting times by town and area

Mental health waiting times are not the same everywhere. Local NHS services may have very different waiting lists depending on demand and capacity.

This website provides town-specific pages showing estimated mental health waiting times based on published NHS data, helping users understand how waiting times vary across England.

Browse mental health waiting times by county and town

Select a county to view available towns. Town pages include published diagnostics data and service guidance.

View all towns and areas →