People in England's Midlands are seeking urgent mental health support at a significantly higher rate than those in London, according to new NHS data. Analysis of calls made to NHS helplines between January and June of 2026 shows that the Midlands received 274,175 crisis calls, while London recorded just 60,453 calls for conditions including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm.
Overall, daily crisis calls to the NHS mental health hotline reached a record average of 6,062 in June 2026, representing a 40% increase in demand since 2024. This surge marks the highest volume of calls since the service's inception. The figures were published by NHS England.
The data, analyzed by the Daily Mail, identifies regions with the highest volume of calls, which initially go through NHS 111 before being triaged to specialist mental health services. Following the Midlands, the North East and Yorkshire, encompassing cities like Newcastle, Sheffield, and Leeds, reported the second-highest number of calls with 216,718.
Urgent mental health services were initially established locally across England during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In April 2024, the service was centralized through NHS 111, allowing individuals to access local mental health crisis teams by selecting a mental health option when calling the general helpline. Callers are connected with trained mental health professionals for immediate discussion and guidance toward face-to-face support.
When the centralized 111 scheme began, it received approximately 4,295 calls per day. By June 2026, this figure had risen by about 41% to an average of 6,062 daily calls.
The South West of England, including areas such as Bristol and Cornwall, ranked third with 166,991 calls from January to June 2026. The North West of England, including Greater Manchester and Merseyside, recorded 140,516 attempts. The South East of England made 108,753 calls, and the East of England received 101,503 attempts.
London had the lowest number of crisis calls by a considerable margin. This finding aligns with a 2024 study published in SSM Population Health, which also indicated lower rates of depression in London compared to other regions. That study identified the North West and North East of England as having the highest rates of depression, correlating with higher levels of deprivation in those areas.
NHS England has stated that these figures are 'official statistics in development' and should be interpreted with caution. For confidential support, individuals can contact Samaritans at 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.