Mind responds to annual mental health act statistics
Annual figures for detentions under the Mental Health Act in England, covering April 2024 to March 2025, have today been published by the NHS.
Under the Act, people with mental health problems can be detained in hospital (or 'sectioned') for treatment, including by the police. Once discharged from hospital, some people may be put on a Community Treatment Order (CTO) which places conditions on their discharge and allows them to be recalled to hospital.
The data shows:
The total number of detentions is slightly higher, at over 52,000
Racial disparities in detention rates increased. Black people are detained at 4 times the rate of white people, up from 3.5 the previous year
The number of new CTOs increased by 17% - in 2023/24 there were 5,618 new CTOs, but in 2024/25 there were 6,575 new CTOs
Racial disparities in the use of CTOs also increased – the previous year, Black people were issued them 7 times more than white people, and this year it is up to over 8.5 times
Detentions were highest in the most deprived areas of the country. People in the most deprived areas were more than 3.5 times more likely to be detained than those in the least deprived areas
The length of stay in hospital for under 18s was longer than that for most adult groups.
The Labour government introduced the Mental Health Bill, which would reform the Mental Health Act 1983, in its first King’s Speech last year. The road to reform officially started in 2018 with an independent review of the Act, followed by a White paper in 2021 and a final parliamentary joint committee report in 2023 before the Conservatives dropped the Bill.
Mind is calling for amendments that put time limits on CTOs, tackle racial inequalities at a local and national level, give young people more say in their treatment and end the use of out-of-area placements or adult wards for children.
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
"These shameful figures show the human cost of inaction on mental health. The racial inequalities in mental health crisis care are longstanding but the fact they are worsening is a shocking indictment of the UK government. Mental health services are failing Black people. Mind is calling for urgent interventions to tackle the over detention of Black people and culturally appropriate care.
“The UK government has acknowledged the toxic impact of health inequalities. Today’s statistics show why it must eradicate racism in healthcare. Steps are being taken through the mandatory implementation of the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework, but there is so much more to do.
"MPs will soon have a final chance to vote through bold, transformative amendments to the Mental Health Bill, to make the Mental Health Act fit for the 21st century. Mind stands ready to work with politicians to deliver a new deal for mental health that tackles racism head on and strengthens the rights of people at their most unwell."
Mind media volunteer Freya, 22, was first diagnosed with mental health problems aged 7. She was sectioned and admitted into a mental health ward in 2018 and was in and out of the system for several years. During her time under section, Freya was sent far from home for treatment, experienced physical and chemical restraint, a lack of aftercare and was impacted by chronic understaffing in mental healthcare.
Freya said:
"Sadly, not feeling heard was a common theme across the five different hospitals I’ve been made to stay in. I often felt that the way I was talked to and not listened to was demeaning. Just because someone is sectioned, it doesn’t mean that it is acceptable to make them feel that their views are wrong and don’t need to be heard.
"Out of all the people I have kept in touch with who were patients with me, more are still in hospital than discharged in the community. This shows that the psychiatric care is inadequate and failing young people.
"Improvements must be made for all age groups, but it is particularly important that these reforms include young people."