UK mental health review calls for ADHD and autism reform

A government-commissioned review in the United Kingdom has called for radical reform of the mental health system, warning that the current focus on ADHD and autism diagnoses may lead to increased risks of misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. The report, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, highlights that while the system is struggling to meet demand, a tendency to prioritize formal labels over actual support needs could harm patients.

As of late 2025, the National Health Service (NHS) faced massive backlogs, with over 560,000 people on waiting lists for ADHD assessments—a seventeen-fold increase since 2019—and more than 254,000 open referrals for autism. This bottleneck has driven many to seek expensive private assessments, which face limited regulation.

The review notes that factors such as social media, financial insecurity, and economic uncertainty have contributed to rising mental distress among young people. Experts warn that inaccurate diagnoses can lead to inappropriate treatments and may negatively impact long-term outcomes for children, including reduced prospects for education and employment. In response, the government has pledged to focus on providing broader support and prevention through a forthcoming Mental Health Strategy, aiming to assist individuals without requiring a clinical diagnosis first.