Mental health charities in England are struggling to cope with the number of patients referred to them by GPs. GPs are often “signposting” patients to unregulated charities, despite them not always being equipped to handle their conditions. These charities employ “practitioners” who lack transparency about their qualifications or competence level. Some charities have reported struggling to cope with the demand, with their staff finding themselves tasked with helping the sickest patients. There is concern over the practice of GPs recommending services to patients, as it is difficult for patients to verify the credibility of the services being offered. There is also a concern about the lack of regulation in the mental health industry.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/12/mental-health-charities-struggling-to-cope-with-gp-referral-influx