EditorOne in three GP mental health appointments in Wales ‘failed to meet needs’, Mind Cymru survey finds
Survey reveals gaps in support
The findings, published in Mind’s Big Mental Health Report 2025, show that 36% of respondents in Wales felt their most recent GP mental health appointment failed to provide the help they needed.
While the vast majority (85%) said their GP listened carefully, only half (52%) left their appointment feeling hopeful. A similar proportion (50%) reported being treated unfairly in the past year when seeking help for their mental health.
The survey gathered responses from 1,570 adults in Wales between January and March 2025, as part of a wider UK study involving more than 18,000 people.
‘I was suicidal and waiting made me worse’
One woman from Bridgend, diagnosed with Complex PTSD, described waiting a month for a GP appointment despite being suicidal. She told Mind Cymru the delay pushed her into crisis, leading to repeated visits to A&E.
“I was suicidal and constantly thinking about ending it as I just didn’t think I could carry on living,” she said. “The waiting made me worse. During my last crisis I developed psychosis. I ended up in A&E multiple times and that was not what I needed.”
She said the lack of timely support left her unable to work and in “a really frightening place mentally.”
Call for urgent reform ahead of Senedd elections
Mind Cymru is urging the next Welsh Government to overhaul primary care services and deliver on Wales’ new 10‑year mental health strategy.
The charity wants to see:
- Same‑day access to mental health support across Wales
- A stronger focus on children and young people’s mental health
- Greater collaboration between the NHS and voluntary sector providers to ease pressure on services
Sue O’Leary, Executive Director at Mind Cymru, said:
“People in Wales are waiting too long, or are simply unable in some cases, to access the right kind of mental health support when they need it. This is impacting people’s relationships, their ability to work, their physical health and their overall sense of self‑worth.
“GPs and voluntary sector providers are often doing all they can, but the current healthcare system simply isn’t working for people with mental health needs in Wales today. The next Welsh Government must deliver on plans to create an open access service, prioritising same‑day referrals for people needing mental health support.”
About the report
Mind’s Big Mental Health Report is published annually and brings together data on mental health problems, stigma and discrimination, alongside personal experiences. The 2025 edition highlights rising demand for support, long waiting times, and the urgent need for reform across England and Wales.
The full report is available at mind.org.uk.
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