Community Mental Health Care is Struggling to Meet People’s Needs, CQC Survey Shows

While experiences of mental health care are improving, many are still facing significant barriers to appropriate care, the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) community mental health survey 2025 revealed today, Tuesday 31 March 2026.

12,319 people aged 16 and over were asked about their experiences of community mental health care. While the NHS is hoping to move more care into the community, the survey highlights how community mental health care is struggling to meet the needs of everyone currently accessing it.

1 in 3 people (31%) are waiting 3 months or more for an appointment.
Half of respondents who contacted crisis services for children and young people (51%) didn’t get the help they needed.
More people are reporting being treated with care and compassion (67%, up from 65% in 2023 and 2024).
People are having more positive experiences, with more people saying they were treated with respect and dignity, that they were supported to make decisions about their care and that they were listened to. More than half of people accessing mental health services for older people (54%) rated their experiences of community mental health care as 9 or 10 out of 10, an improvement on the previous two years.

However, sections of society are having poorer experiences. People aged 16-35, disabled people and autistic people had worse experiences than average in being treated with care and compassion, getting the help they needed, feeling listened to, getting enough time to discuss their needs, and their overall experience.

Mental ill-health doesn’t exist in isolation and may be shaped by many factors including housing, finances, employment, and physical health. Nevertheless, nearly 2 in 5 people (38%) reported receiving no support for their physical health, even though they would have liked this, and many people accessing children and young people’s mental health services (62%) received no help or support in joining a group, an increase from 55% in 2023 and 2024.

While family members are involved in many aspects of care, nearly half of people who contacted crisis care (45%) said their family received no support or information. This is despite family involvement being a key issue raised in patient safety reviews.

While more people are feeling listened to and being given enough time to discuss their needs and treatment during appointments, action is needed to reduce the long waiting lists, the inconsistencies in care, and to address the wider issues contributing to a person’s mental health.

Interim Chief Inspector of Mental Health for the Care Quality Commission, Chris Dzikiti said:

“It’s heartening that people are reporting better experiences, with more positive interactions with staff. However, people are still facing barriers to appropriate care and community mental health care is struggling to support those in crisis. We are unfortunately far from the goal in the NHS 10-year plan of playing a preventive role.

“A robust, consistent workforce is essential to ensure staff are not burnt-out and feel able to provide compassionate, personalised care. Demand for mental health support is increasing but concerningly the ratio of mental health nurses to patients is getting worse.

“If staff have the capacity and time to support the whole person – understanding their financial, physical, and social, as well as mental health needs and can offer a joined-up approach to healthcare – we can prevent crises and help people live happier fuller lives.

“At CQC, we have started a comprehensive review of adult community mental health services to better understand where quality of care, patient and public safety, and staff experience is not up to standard.”