Exploring inequalities in pathways to mental health care and the long-term outcomes of NHS Talking Therapies

NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) is not equally accessible or effective for everyone. People from some ethnic minority backgrounds, those living in areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation, and men are less likely to access psychological support, stay in treatment, or recover. In addition, many people fall through the gap between services, being considered too complex for NHS Talking Therapies but not meeting criteria to access secondary care mental health services.

My project aims to understand where people fall through the gaps on their journey to receiving mental health care. Using national data linkages, I will explore if engagement and treatment with NHS Talking Therapies impacts on long term outcomes such as crisis episodes and hospital admissions. I will also look at whether the way initial NHS talking therapy assessments are conducted affects who stays in treatment and who benefits.