We鈥檙e supporting a campaign calling on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to urgently update its guideline on generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.

We share concerns raised by UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), who are leading the campaign, and more than 30 mental health organisations that the outdated guidance limits patient choice, restricts access to a wider range of effective therapies, and fails to address accessibility for marginalised communities.

Rising levels of anxiety highlights urgent need for change

Data from our 2025 Public Perceptions Survey told us that anxiety was the most common reason people sought therapy, with nearly two-thirds of respondents (62%) who'd had therapy in the last two years citing it as the cause. This mirrors rising demand across NHS services and highlights the need for guidance that reflects current clinical reality.

The current guideline was published in 2011 and doesn鈥檛 reflect significant advances in treatment or clinical practice.

Call for inclusive, evidence-based mental health care

Martin Bell, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said:

鈥淣ICE guidelines play a crucial role in shaping mental health care across the NHS. When guidance does not keep pace with developments in research and practice, it risks limiting the support available to people who are already struggling to access help.

鈥淯pdating the anxiety guideline is essential to ensure services can offer effective, inclusive and person-centred care.

鈥淲e join our colleagues across the mental health sector in calling for NICE to fully address these concerns and to ensure that people experiencing anxiety receive the timely, evidence聽 based, accessible support they need and deserve."

How to get involved

We鈥檙e urging our members to write to their local MP to highlight the impact of outdated guidance on people seeking support for anxiety. You can find a

Opportunity to get involved with NICE

NICE is currently recruiting a high intensity therapist from NHS Talking Therapies with expertise in severe and enduring mental illness to join its guideline committee reviewing guidance in this area.

This is an important opportunity for 麻豆原创 members to help shape national guidance and ensure therapeutic expertise is represented.

Full details and application information are . The deadline for applications is Monday 9 February 2026.