NHS Activity Tracker: July 2025
Mental health and learning disability sector
2.1m
people in contact with mental health services in May
377,020
CYP waiting for first contact from community mental health services in May
2.25m
open referrals to mental health services in May
Key points
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The number of new referrals to mental health services rose in May.
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The number of adult open referrals showed little fluctuation compared to last year, while open referrals for CYP has increased sharply.
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A record number of CYP accessed services in the last year, but the number of CYP still waiting for first contact from community mental health services has grown.
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Fewer adults with serious mental illness were waiting for community mental health support in May compared to last month and last year.
Referrals
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In May 2025, new mental health referrals rose to 439,300. This represents an increase of nearly a third (31.5%) compared to May 2019 – remaining significantly above pre-pandemic levels.
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The number of open referrals to mental health services fell to 2.29 million this month – but was the highest May figure on record and 39% above pre-pandemic levels. The number of adult open referrals remained steady at 1.72m, while open referrals for CYP increased to 568,760, rising by 27.9% compared to a year ago.
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In the 12 months to May 2025, a record high 843,680 CYP accessed mental health services. Compared to the same period a year ago, this figure is up by 5.9% and has been gradually increasing since August 2024.
Figure 6
Number in contact with mental health or learning disabilities services
Contacts
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The number of people in contact with mental health services fell to 2.1 million in May 2025. While this represents a decrease from recent months, this figure is 8.9% higher than it was a year ago and 53.1% above pre-pandemic levels (May 2019). The number of CYP in contact with mental health services reached the second highest level to date.
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There were 2.25 million care contacts attended in May, relatively unchanged from the previous month but a 12.3% increase compared to a year ago.
Community mental health
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Between March and May 2025, 201,570 CYP accessed support through NHS funded mental health services, up by 9% since last year. Despite growing demand, median waiting times have improved for CYP accessing services in the last three months: the median wait time for a first contact was 14 days.
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However, 377,020 CYP were still waiting for first contact from community mental health services in the three months to May 2025 – a 10.8% increase since last year, indicating that service provision is continuing to fall short of the growing level of demand. Median wait times for those still waiting are rising.
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For adults with serious mental illness, 123,570 received their second contact with services, up by 13.9% on the same period last year. The median wait times for adults receiving their second contact in the last three months was 42 days, seven days shorter compared to a year ago.
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In May 2025, 186,500 adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for treatment from community mental health services. This figure is lower than both the previous month and the same time last year, down by 4.5% and 27.2% respectively.
Figure 7
Children and young people still waiting for first contact from community health services at the end of the three-month rolling reporting period
Out of area placements (OAPs)
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At the end of May 2025, there were 441 OAPs in adult acute beds, relatively unchanged since the previous month, but over 50% higher than last year.