We Need to Talk argues that evidence-based talking therapies, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, are as important for the nation's health as any cancer drug or surgical procedure. Evidence shows that they can help millions of people in the UK who experience common and severe mental health problems.
Yet for three years the NHS has failed to act on recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to offer psychological therapies to people with depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, due to lack of investment.
Waiting times of six to 18 months force many people to suffer unnecessarily or give up waiting on the NHS and go private - if they can afford it. Many GPs admit prescribing antidepressant medications because they can't access talking therapies for their patients.
The impact of that failure is massive - mental illness costs over £77 billion in England alone and causes suffering to people of all ages.
We Need to Talk calls on the Government to provide psychological therapy through the NHS in line with NICE guidance. It also says the NHS should introduce waiting time measures for access to mental health treatments.
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