While experiences of mental health care are improving, many are
still facing significant barriers to appropriate care, the Care
Quality Commission's (CQC) community mental health survey 2025
revealed today, Tuesday 31 March 2026.
12,319 people aged 16 and over were asked about their experiences
of community mental health care. While the NHS is hoping to move
more care into the community, the survey highlights how community
mental health care is struggling to meet the needs of everyone
currently accessing it.
- 1 in 3 people (31%) are waiting 3 months or more for an
appointment.
- Half of respondents who contacted crisis services for
children and young people (51%) didn't get the help they needed.
- More people are reporting being treated with care and
compassion (67%, up from 65% in 2023 and 2024).
People are having more positive experiences, with more people
saying they were treated with respect and dignity, that they were
supported to make decisions about their care and that they were
listened to. More than half of people accessing mental health
services for older people (54%) rated their experiences of
community mental health care as 9 or 10 out of 10, an improvement
on the previous two years.
However, sections of society are having poorer experiences.
People aged 16-35, disabled people and autistic people had worse
experiences than average in being treated with care and
compassion, getting the help they needed, feeling listened to,
getting enough time to discuss their needs, and their overall
experience.
Mental ill-health doesn't exist in isolation and may be shaped by
many factors including housing, finances, employment, and
physical health. Nevertheless, nearly 2 in 5 people (38%)
reported receiving no support for their physical health, even
though they would have liked this, and many people accessing
children and young people's mental health services (62%) received
no help or support in joining a group, an increase from 55% in
2023 and 2024.
While family members are involved in many aspects of care, nearly
half of people who contacted crisis care (45%) said their family
received no support or information. This is despite family
involvement being a key issue raised in patient safety reviews.
While more people are feeling listened to and being given enough
time to discuss their needs and treatment during appointments,
action is needed to reduce the long waiting lists, the
inconsistencies in care, and to address the wider issues
contributing to a person's mental health.
Interim Chief Inspector of Mental Health for the Care Quality
Commission, Chris Dzikiti said:
“It's heartening that people are reporting better experiences,
with more positive interactions with staff. However, people are
still facing barriers to appropriate care and community mental
health care is struggling to support those in crisis. We are
unfortunately far from the goal in the NHS 10-year plan of
playing a preventive role.
“A robust, consistent workforce is essential to ensure staff are
not burnt-out and feel able to provide compassionate,
personalised care. Demand for mental health support is increasing
but concerningly the ratio of mental health nurses to patients is
getting worse.
“If staff have the capacity and time to support the whole person
– understanding their financial, physical, and social, as well as
mental health needs and can offer a joined-up approach to
healthcare – we can prevent crises and help people live happier
fuller lives.
“At CQC, we have started a comprehensive review of adult
community mental health services to better understand where
quality of care, patient and public safety, and staff experience
is not up to standard.”
Notes to editors
You can find the full survey results
here.
Respondents are people who received treatment for a mental health
condition between 1 April and 31 May 2025 and had contact before,
during, or after this period.
Children and young people mental health services provide support
for children and young people up to the age of 25 (though many
may transition to adult services before this age).
The results from this survey are comparable to the 2024 and 2023
surveys. Earlier surveys are not comparable due to changes in
sampling, methodology, and questions.
Some of the initial findings from our review of adult community
mental health services can be found in our State of Care
2024/2025 publication.
