We’ve signed a letter with more than 70 mental health organisations and cross-party parliamentarians, urging the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to review its guideline on generalised anxiety disorder in adults.
The coalition, led by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), includes leading organisations such as Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, as well as cross-party MPs and peers including Dr Danny Chambers MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, and Lord Boateng.
Together, we’ve written to NICE outlining key recommendations for updating the guidance.
The coalition’s calls
The campaign is calling for the guideline to be fully updated so it:
- Reflects current clinical practice – incorporating modern diagnostic frameworks and a wider range of evidence-based therapies.
- Increases patient choice – ensuring people living with anxiety can access treatments that address their individual needs and underlying causes.
- Addresses barriers for marginalised communities – providing clear guidance on improving equity and removing obstacles faced by hard-to-reach populations.
Key concerns with the current NICE guideline
- Outdated and internally inconsistent – The guideline has not been meaningfully updated since 2012, contradicts recent guidance on depression and anxiety, and provides limited advice on collaborative approaches with patients.
- Limited access and equity – Insufficient guidance exists on barriers faced by marginalised and hard-to-reach populations.
- Severely restricted patient choice – Only CBT and applied relaxation are recommended, limiting treatment options for patients and flexibility for therapists.
Martin Bell, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said:
“Current guidance is outdated and not fit for purpose. This restricts patient choice and limits access to effective therapies. NICE must update its guidance so people with anxiety can get the care they need.”
Ellen Dunn, Policy and Research Manager at UKCP, said:
“The current guideline risks limiting the provision of effective treatment for anxiety and panic disorders, with potentially damaging consequences for patients, services, and the mental health workforce. Clinicians working within this guideline are operating with outdated diagnostic frameworks and a highly limited selection of therapies. This is not good enough for the people seeking help for anxiety in the NHS.”
Dr Danny Chambers MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Mental Health, added:
“NICE guidelines must keep up to date with the challenges that those suffering from poor mental health face. Through clear, effective guidance we can ensure that everyone in need receives timely support and high-quality care.”
Read the letter
You can read the full submitted letter here.
You can also read our full joint position statement.
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We back campaign to review and update NICE anxiety guidelines
We’re encouraging members to write to their MP and help shape NICE guidance