Thank you all for gathering here today to commemorate the release of this pivotal review.
I would like to extend my gratitude to Rethink for their hospitality and particularly to Mark Winstanley, who is about to retire after an impressive 40-year tenure with this remarkable charity. Your contributions, Mark, have been instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for those profoundly affected by mental illness.
Additionally, I wish to acknowledge Professors Peter Fonagy, Sir Simon Wessely, and Gillian Baird, alongside the numerous researchers, practitioners, and organisations that have played a crucial role in this significant review.
With tomorrow being World Mental Health Day, the release of this review serves as a timely and meaningful way to honour the occasion. It lays a critical groundwork for the extensive efforts required to enhance mental health and wellbeing across the nation, and we are resolute in our commitment to build upon it.
Reflection on Current Challenges
To commence, I wish to reflect on a substantial issue highlighted by the review conducted by the professors. The 1990s seem to be experiencing a resurgence; not only has Pulp released a new album, but the Tate is also hosting a retrospective of the art from that era. As a teenager during that decade, I recall my fond memories, and I never imagined that the young people of the 2020s would not have a better experience.
I envisioned a world filled with more opportunities, a progressive and inclusive culture, and an equitable chance at success. However, it is a stark reality that I was mistaken. This review unequivocally reveals an increase in mental distress, particularly among the youth, with young women being especially impacted.
As Peter Fonagy aptly points out, the overwhelming number of voices now accessible to young people—predominantly digital, often assertive, and frequently unaccountable—has rendered the typical developmental journey of self-discovery significantly more challenging than it was for previous generations. Yet, it is crucial to state that this generation is neither weaker nor less resilient than those that preceded it; rather, it is the pressures they encounter that have transformed.
The Impact of Societal Pressures
In an age where the transition to adulthood has grown increasingly complex due to social media, the support systems that once existed have been eroded. In essence, this predicament is not a consequence of their failings but rather a reflection of our shortcomings.
The review identifies a landscape characterised by heightened uncertainty and insecurity, encompassing poverty, financial instability, housing issues, and concerns regarding employment prospects. It also highlights a rise in loneliness, diminished opportunities for connection, and reduced chances for rest, recovery, and physical activity.
While we often in politics contemplate the effects of the cost of living on families, we may overlook how food price inflation affects young people’s ability to socialise. It is vital that dining out does not become an exclusive activity for older generations.
Currently, nearly one million young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK find themselves neither in education, employment, nor training. As more young individuals face social challenges, lacking qualifications and experience, we risk creating a ‘ghost generation’ confined to their bedrooms, engaging only in a limited online existence, missing crucial opportunities to embark on their life journeys, and instead wrestling with the mental health challenges identified by Peter Fonagy and his colleagues.
Encouraging Signs of Hope
Despite these challenges, the review offers a glimmer of hope. The professors assert that the mental distress experienced by young people can be alleviated. Engaging in conversation, participating in activities, and fostering friendships are all beneficial. Furthermore, obtaining an education, securing employment, and maximising one’s talents are vital components of wellbeing.
Individuals with autism and ADHD possess the same rights to employment and social inclusion as anyone else, and it is fundamentally advantageous when we facilitate such opportunities.
We are aware of these truths, yet we needed to be reminded. All too often, we fall into the trap of presuming that whatever the future holds, it will be beneficial. The reality is that true progress emerges only when we actively shape the future, harnessing the benefits of new technologies, innovations, and the commitments we make to subsequent generations.
Addressing the Role of Technology
This review prompted me to reflect on some significant decisions made since 2024. It cites analysis revealing that 55% of characteristics depicted in 100 popular ADHD TikTok videos do not align with established diagnostic criteria. Moreover, it presents substantial evidence regarding the detrimental impact of social media on sleep, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. Thus, implementing a ban on social media for individuals under 16 should be an initial step towards fostering a healthier relationship with this technology.
Additionally, the review underscores the vital role that participation in the workforce can play in promoting recovery and wellbeing.
Furthermore, we have allocated considerable resources, including £2.5 billion to combat youth unemployment through the Jobs Guarantee and Youth Jobs Grant, ensuring that young individuals can secure their rightful start in life; £39 billion invested in council, social, and affordable housing to provide families with the stability they require; and our new National Youth Strategy, which is dedicating over £500 million to enhance community support.
Focusing on Young People’s Health Needs
Specifically concerning the health needs of young individuals, we aim to provide assistance much earlier, reducing the number of children and young people requiring access to clinical services. We will expand Healthy Babies services across England, ensuring every family receives trusted, practical help during the crucial 1,001 days from pregnancy to the age of two. Additionally, we are increasing the reach of Mental Health Support Teams to every school and college by 2029, offering more effective support for young people facing complex needs, including trauma, neurodevelopmental conditions, and disordered eating.
We are also investing in Early Support Hubs, which will offer earlier assistance in communities and facilitate at least 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions for young people this year alone.
Of course, none of this diminishes the essential role that the NHS must play. The review emphasises that specialist services are critical, particularly for those with severe, complex, and enduring needs. We must ensure that individuals can access these services promptly, starting with a reduction in the longest waiting times for mental health support.
Addressing Stigma and Access to Care
It is a straightforward reality that without the necessary support and care, individuals with mental health conditions will ultimately find themselves in crisis. I have advocated for this issue for years, and if our mental health strategy accomplishes nothing else, it must bring these conditions into the public discourse, as stigma inhibits individuals from seeking treatment, complicates access to help, and keeps them out of the workforce.
To that end, we have expanded NHS Talking Therapies, enabling more individuals suffering from anxiety and depression to access effective treatment and support, thereby enhancing recovery and employment outcomes. Furthermore, we have recruited thousands of mental health professionals, ensuring that more young people can receive timely support and that they receive the highest standard of care. We are also making unprecedented investments in mental health services, with NHS mental health spending projected to reach £16.1 billion this year, thereby broadening access, reducing waiting times, and improving patient support.
Ensuring Quality Assessments for ADHD and Autism
However, support must begin with establishing a solid foundation, for no one should be left questioning whether they have been accurately assessed and whether they can trust their diagnosis and subsequent care. Unlike mental illness, autism and ADHD are integral aspects of human diversity—neurodevelopmental conditions that manifest at birth or during childhood. While they can significantly impact individuals’ wellbeing, proper support can empower those with these conditions to lead fulfilling lives.
The review raises grave concerns regarding the lack of regulation surrounding ADHD and autism assessments, advocating for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to oversee all assessments and calling for an end to direct advertising of NHS-funded assessments. The government acknowledges the report and its findings and will provide a comprehensive response to the recommendations through a new, cross-government Mental Health Strategy in the forthcoming months.
Immediate Actions and Long-term Reform
In the meantime, we are taking immediate measures to address some of the findings right now: all ADHD and autism assessments will fall under CQC regulation; all NHS-funded services will deliver high-quality assessments and support; and integrated care boards will be held to enhanced standards of oversight.
Moreover, we will collaborate with the Advertising Standards Authority to combat misleading advertising related to autism and ADHD services, ensuring that individuals receive accurate information and are not exploited by unscrupulous companies pushing unnecessary assessments.
The core recommendation of the review challenges us to rethink our approach. We must transition from a diagnosis-led system to a needs-led one—a system where support is available based on individuals’ circumstances rather than waiting for a label before assistance is granted.
We are already making strides in this direction. The government’s SEND reforms are shifting focus towards a needs-led approach across education, health, and care, enhancing early identification of needs and early support. Experts at Hand will provide advice and early intervention in mainstream schools, nurseries, and colleges, complementing the work of Mental Health Support Teams.
<h