Children, young people and adults experiencing mental distress will receive broader support at the earliest opportunity, without having to wait for a clinical diagnosis, the government has pledged on 9 October 2026.
Responding to the Independent Review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, the government has committed to a major overhaul of mental health support in its forthcoming mental health strategy, with a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention.
The review, chaired by clinical psychologist Professor Peter Fonagy with vice-chairs Professor Sir Simon Wessely and Professor Gillian Baird, found that mental distress has increased substantially among children and young people, driven by social media, financial insecurity, uncertainty about the future, poorer sleep, and reduced feelings of connection and belonging.
While referrals and diagnoses for ADHD and autism have risen significantly, population-level prevalence appears broadly stable, the review found.
The interim report of Alan Milburn’s review of young people and work also found that among 16 to 25-year-olds not in education, employment or training, 24% cited depression or anxiety as their main limiting condition, 22% autism and 18% another mental illness.
The government said greater support will be available in schools, colleges and communities, with a focus on earlier intervention and reducing long waits. Where clinically appropriate, timely diagnosis and treatment will continue, such as when medication is required.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper has asked NHS leaders to urgently examine how people can access advice, assessments and treatment more easily.
The reforms will sit alongside a new £4bn package for children with special educational needs, backing schools to improve inclusion, widen access to specialist support and roll out training for every teacher.
The government will also strengthen oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, including working towards making all diagnostic assessments a Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated activity, so diagnoses are accurate whether through the NHS or a private provider.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Professor Fonagy’s review has shown the importance of early intervention to address mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions and the huge distress these can cause. It is clear that mental health services need to change to focus more on the early support young people need to stay in education or work or keep their lives on track. We will set out our response in a new mental health strategy in the coming months, building on the new mental health services we are already providing in schools and in the community.
“Based on the review findings, we will also take action to strengthen the oversight of mental health and neurodevelopmental services, and make all diagnostic assessments for ADHD and autism CQC-regulated, so people can be confident that assessments are high quality and that the NHS is not being overcharged by independent or private providers.”
