Young people aged 16 to 17 across West London now have improved access to mental health support, thanks to a new initiative linking Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with NHS Talking Therapies – a service previously only available to adults.
GPs and CAMHS practitioners in Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Hounslow can now directly refer teens to Talking Therapies, helping bridge the gap between child and adult mental health services.
Talking Therapies, formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), offers evidence-based treatments to help individuals manage common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Previously restricted to those aged 18 and over, the expansion now allows 16–17-year-olds to access support during a critical life stage, often marked by emotional vulnerability and major transitions such as leaving school.
Dr Ruth Dennis, West London NHS Trust’s Professional Lead for NHS Talking Therapies, said:
“This is a really positive and much-needed extension of our referral routes for young people. GPs are often the first point of contact for mental health concerns, and this change means they can now directly refer 16–17-year-olds to Talking Therapies. We’re proud to be making our services more accessible to young people and to be working closely with CAMHS to ensure safe, age-appropriate care.”
Since the rollout began across West London NHS Trust in 2025, over 200 GP referrals have already been made, highlighting strong demand and the immediate impact of the change.
Experts and service users have long described the transition from CAMHS to adult services as a “cliff edge”, with many young people struggling to access appropriate care. This initiative offers a more gradual and supportive pathway, ensuring continuity of care and earlier intervention.
With over 511,000 young people engaged with children’s mental health services across England in early 2025, the expansion of Talking Therapies is a timely and vital step in meeting growing demand.
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