Mental Health Day: Nearly 30,000 adults seek mental health support in Kent and Medway
Date added: 22 January 2026
Last updated: 22 January 2026
On Health Information Week’s Mental Health Day, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has shared new figures showing a continued rise in demand for adult mental health services across the area, and is reinforcing the message to encourage people to seek help early to avoid mental health crisis.
Since April 2025, the trust has received nearly 30,000 referrals for adult mental health support. If current trends continue, referrals are expected to reach 44,922 in 2025/26. This is 4.6% higher than planned and means around 2,000 additional adults may need support.
The figures highlight the growing pressure on mental health services and the importance of early help. Getting support early can prevent mental health concerns from becoming more serious and help people stay well.
As part of Health Information Week 2026, the trust is using today, Mental Health Day, to encourage adults to talk openly about mental health, ask for help as soon as they need it, and support others to do the same. While awareness of mental health has improved, there is still a need for people to seek help earlier and for greater focus on prevention.
Dr Afifa Qazi, Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Psychiatrist at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said:
“We are seeing more adults across Kent and Medway coming forward for mental health support, and this reflects both the pressures people are facing and the growing confidence to ask for help. Our teams are working hard to respond to rising demand by strengthening crisis care, expanding support in local communities, and improving access to services. Getting help early can make a real difference, and we want people to know they are not alone.”
The rising need for adult mental health care is linked to several pressures, including the cost of living, stress at work, loneliness, and the long-term effects of the pandemic. At the same time, reduced stigma and better understanding of mental health mean more adults feel able to seek support.
The trust continues to improve adult mental health services to meet this demand. This includes improving crisis care, increasing community-based support, and widening access to talking therapies and local walk-in services, so adults can get the right help at the right time.
Adults who need urgent mental health support can get help 24 hours a day by calling the Release the Pressure helpline on 0800 107 0160, or by calling NHS 111 and choosing the mental health option to speak with a trained professional. Safe Havens also provide free, private walk-in support without an appointment.
On Mental Health Day, the trust is reminding adults across Kent and Medway that support is available and that asking for help is a positive step towards living well.
