NHS England has reported that more people got a full course of NHS talking therapy treatment last year than ever before.

Figures show that a record 634,649 people completed the NHS Talking Therapy programme in 2020/21, up around five per cent on the 606,192 in the year before as many people struggled with their mental health during the pandemic.

The data on NHS England’s Improving Access to Talking Therapies (IAPT) programme also shows that more than half of people completing a course of treatment for conditions including depression and anxiety, recovered from their condition.

Adults can refer themselves for talking therapies to help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression, delivered by NHS practitioners.

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to expanding access to IAPT services for adults and older adults with common mental health problems, with an ambition to reach 1.9 million by 2023/24, with a focus on those with long-term conditions.

Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s National Mental Health Director, said: “The world-leading NHS Talking Therapy programme has helped a record high number of people struggling with their mental health during the pandemic.

“Despite the huge impact of the pandemic and the NHS treating half a million seriously ill people with Covid-19, the health service increased the number of talking therapy sessions available to people and is set to expand the programme even further.

“I know the last year and a half has had a huge impact on the nation’s mental health and our message to people is clear: the NHS is open and staff want you to come forward, so please seek help either by referring yourself to the NHS talking therapy programme online or by contacting your local GP, particularly if you were one of the many people who felt unable to do so as the pandemic hit.”