Thousands in Wales wait months for therapies, data show

Thousands of patients across Wales are facing extended delays for specialist psychological therapies, with recent data revealing the highest monthly wait times recorded in six years. According to findings reported by the South Wales Argus, approximately 9,000 individuals were on waiting lists for mental health support as of December 2025. Of those, more than 4,300 patients had been waiting longer than 26 weeks for treatment.

The figures, which were gathered through Freedom of Information requests submitted to all seven local health boards, highlight a persistent strain on resources within the NHS. Mind Cymru, the charity responsible for the data collection, suggests that the situation has evolved into a systemic issue, noting that they first raised concerns regarding the length of time patients spend on lists in a report published in 2020.

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The impact of these delays on individual patients can be severe. One patient, Aled Edwards, reported being told he faced a two-year wait to see a psychologist despite struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. After attempting to seek help, Mr Edwards experienced further disruptions in his care, noting that a psychiatrist he finally managed to see left their role after only three sessions, forcing him back into the system for another six-month delay before he could begin trauma therapy with a different clinician. Recounting his experience, Mr Edwards noted,

"This was at a point in my life where I had already tried to take my own life and I was considering trying again, so this time I went to ask for help instead."

Simon Jones, head of policy and campaigns at Mind Cymru, stated:

"There’s clearly a very real and growing need for increasing numbers of people to receive specialist psychological support for their mental health in Wales. That so many are waiting too long to access therapies is placing further demand on a system already under pressure, and there’s a need for significant investment to be made at all levels to help people access the support they need, when they need it."

The charity is urging the Welsh Government to make mental health a priority in the next Senedd term, calling for system-wide improvements and quicker access to care.

At the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff—the largest hospital in the country—the emergency department manages a Phone First model, requiring patients to contact a dedicated service before attending. This facility, which serves as the designated Major Trauma Centre for South Wales, is subject to the NHS Wales performance framework, which mandates that 95% of patients should be admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours. The facility operates on Heath Park Way and hosts a range of specialist services, including cardiology, neurosurgery, and the only adult kidney transplant centre in Wales.

Residents in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are advised to use the 111 service to navigate care options, as the site does not accept walk-ins.

What to Watch Next

• Senedd Policy: Mind Cymru is pushing for the Welsh Government to make mental health access a primary focus in the next Senedd term.
• Access Changes: Patients in Cardiff and the wider Vale of Glamorgan are advised to continue using the 111 service to navigate care options, as walk-ins are not accepted at the University Hospital of Wales emergency unit.