Policymakers need to focus on why people are seeking help for their mental health and whether adequate support is available.
That was the response of DAUK GP committee member Dr Rosie Shire to a BBC survey on mental health diagnoses by GPs.
Of the 752 GPs who took part in the BBC’s research, which represented 1.9% of GPs in the NHS in England, 442 felt mental health problems were over-diagnosed a lot or a little.
More than 40% said mental health conditions were under diagnosed or neither under/over diagnosed.
Mental health provision
The survey also found that 640 GPs felt the provision for children with mental health issues in their area was not good enough. Some 508 GPs felt the same about adult provision.
Dr Shire spoke to BBC News and LBC about the results.
She told the BBC: “It’s not a surprise to anybody that the number of people seeking help for mental health conditions has increased.
“There’s been an increase in mental health conditions since Covid.
Anxiety and depression
“Quite a lot of people said the first time they experienced anxiety or depression was during the pandemic.
“I think we need to celebrate the fact people feel able to ask for help, rather than criticising them for asking for help.
“And then look at why they are asking for help and what help is available for them?”
Asked whether neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD were over-diagnosed, Dr Shire said it was more likely that diagnosis was ‘catching up’ with the number of neurodivergent people.
She said: “Adults, especially, often can’t access reasonable adjustments in the workplace, or help and support without a diagnosis.
Support people
“There’s no availability for things like CBT and coaching. They are mentioned in the NICE guidelines as a way to support people with ADHD, but they can’t get access to that unless they’ve got this diagnosis.
“(Being diagnosed can be) very validating for somebody to understand why they’ve struggled, or why they’re struggling. Is it just me, or is it something else?”
Watch Dr Shire’s BBC News interview again on the DAUK Instagram.
In an interview with LBC, Dr Shire stressed the need to avoid stigmatising people who seek help for their mental health.
She said: “Life is difficult at the moment.
Struggling
“If you’re struggling to find work, you can’t afford food, then you’re not going to feel great about things.
“I think it’s about looking at what support is available.”
Dr Shire highlighted the lack of timely access to talking therapies, with long waits leaving many people getting worse before treatment begins.
In response to a question about people not working because of their mental health, she said that, if someone was able to, then working could be helpful in recovery from any health condition.
Bigger picture
She added ‘people needed to be supported to work’, including being allowed time off to attend medical and therapy appointments.
“We need to look at the bigger picture,” she said. “Why are people coming forward and how can we help them?”
Listen again to her LBC interview on the DAUK Instagram.
The most recent NHS survey on mental health showed more people have common mental health conditions now, with a 45% increase since 1993.
It found that and 20% of NHS activity is related to mental health.
Mental health funding
However, mental health services only received 8.7% of the NHS budget in 2024/25. This is set to fall in 2025/26.
Dr Shire said: “Without adequate funding and support for people, it’s hard to see how we can expect people to overcome their mental health conditions.”
All of our committee members are volunteers. They speak to the media and campaign on the issues facing doctors in their own time. Please support their work by joining DAUK or donating to our GoFundMe.
