Â鶹ԭ´´ Mindometer 2025
News from Â鶹ԭ´´

Experts share their view on the UK's mental health

• Almost two thirds (64%) of therapists said that the public’s mental health have deteriorated since last year
• Almost all therapists (93%) perceived that financial concerns and the cost of living have impacted this
• 83% of therapists perceived that war and conflict have impacted this.
• Four in five (80%) therapists perceived that negative news has impacted this
• Around two in five (43%) therapists perceived that AI technologies have impacted this

List of most common presenting issues therapists have seen increase in clients over the past year:

1.Neurodivergence-related issues - 62%
2. General anxiety - 62%
3. Self-esteem issues - 50%
4. Depression - 47%
5. Loneliness and isolation - 45%

• Over a third (36%) of therapists described demand at their practice as overcapacity, resulting in a waiting list or referral of clients to other services

The impacts of lockdown continue to negatively impact the nation's mental health

• Almost three in five therapists (58%) working with children (under the age of 18) say that children's mental health has deteriorated compared to last year
• Four in five therapists (80%) who work with children are still seeing the impacts of lockdown on children’s mental health
• Almost three in five therapists (59%) who work with children are seeing an increase in children waiting more than a year for access to support elsewhere

List of most common reasons for therapists seeing more children in their practice:

1. Neurodivergence-related issues (e.g. ADHD, Autism) - 71%
2. Family issues - 67%
3. General anxiety - 62%
4. Self-esteem issues - 57%
5. Friendship issues - 55%

• Nearly two thirds (65%) of therapists who work with children have seen an increase in more complex issues over the past year
• Two in five (40%) therapists who work with children reported a rise in children coming to therapy who are being bullied online
• Around a fifth (21%) of therapists who work with children have witnessed a rise in children who are being groomed online

Therapists are seeing an increase in children receiving harmful mental health advice from AI

• Over a quarter (28%) of therapists have seen a rise in clients reporting receiving unhelpful therapy advice from Chat GPT and other AI technologies
• Over a third (38%) of therapists working with children (under 18) are seeing a rise in children seeking mental health advice from ChatGPT and other AI technologies
• Almost one in five (19%) therapists who work with children are seeing an increase in children receiving harmful mental health advice from ChatGPT and other AI technologies
• Around a fifth (22%) of therapists have seen an increase in clients worrying about job displacement due to AI technologies

Most common primary concerns therapists have about the integration of AI into therapeutic practice:

1. Loss of human connection - 86%
2. Limited understanding of complex emotion – 81%
3. Potential for harmful advice – 79%
4. Inadequate regulation and oversight – 68%
5. Lack of accountability - 66%
6. Over reliance on technology - 63%
7. Privacy and data security risks – 57%

General anxiety is one of the most common issues that male clients have been presenting with over the past year

• Over half (57%) of therapists who work with men have seen an increase in men coming to therapy to discuss their mental health
• Two in five therapists (41%) say their male clients tend to be more sceptical of therapy during their first sessions than female clients
• 62% of therapists who work with men with addiction said they noticed a rise in alcohol addiction over the past year 

List of most common presenting issues therapists have seen in their male clients over the past year:

1. General anxiety – 44%
2. Depression – 42%
3. Family Issues – 37%
4. Neurodivergence-related issues – 35%
5. Self-esteem issues – 35%                 

Experts say that bereavement is the most common reason why people over the age of 65 go to therapy.

• Over a quarter of therapists (27%) have seen an increase in the number of enquiries and referrals from people over the age of 65     

Main reasons therapists say people over the age of 65 typically seek therapy:     

1. Bereavement – 56%
2. Trauma or unresolved past issues – 51%
3. Depression and low mood – 49%
4. Loneliness and social isolation – 48%
5. Adjusting to retirement and life changes – 48%
6. Relationship issues with family or partner – 42%
7. Existential crisis – 31%
8. Caregiver stress and responsibilities – 29%
9. Cognitive decline and memory loss – 10%                      

Communication issues are a major factor for couples in crisis 

• Almost half of therapists (48%) say that the most common issue for relationships breaking down is communication problems
• Around a fifth of therapists (21%) say they have seen an increase in the number of couples coming to therapy
• Around a quarter of therapists (23%) say they have seen an increase in clients with divorce and separation issues over the past year

Rise in employee absences linked to work-related stress and burnout

• Over half (54%) of therapists have seen an increase in clients who feel stuck in their job or career
• Almost two thirds (63%) of therapists have seen an increase in clients taking time off for work-related stress and burnout
• Over half (56%) of therapists have noticed an increase in clients’ mental health being negatively impacted by their manager
• Two in five (41%) therapists have seen an increase in clients who feel bullied at work
• Around a third (34%) of therapists have seen an increase in clients feeling lonely at work
• Almost three quarters (71%) of therapists say that high workload and stress are factors which most contribute to workplace loneliness in the UK