TRIGGER WARNING

SENSITIVE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

Did you know? Anybody waiting for an ADHD diagnosis has to have it done through an NHS partnership with private companies and you are not guaranteed NHS medication, leaving highly vunerable people who can't afford it without support for their debilitating symptoms.

Some time ago this year, a mother in the United Kingdom took her own life after enduring prolonged suffering while awaiting an ADHD assessment and subsequent treatment. Her tragic story is not an isolated case, and the pain experienced by her family and countless others in similar situations is something I can personally relate to. Every day without necessary treatment is another day of battling overwhelming challenges without help.

Currently, there is a significant backlog in ADHD assessments within the NHS, leaving many individuals in desperate situations. Although some opt for private assessments, the affordability barrier persists, and even when individuals manage to self-fund these assessments, they often find themselves unable to access the necessary NHS medication. This delay in receiving crucial treatment leads not only to deteriorating mental health conditions but also to the devastating consequence of suicides that could have been prevented.

Waiting times for an initial assessment frequently stretch from 2 to 4 years for children, and up to 8 to 10.5 years for adults depending on the region.

Recent statistics indicate a steep increase in ADHD diagnoses, with demand far outstripping the available public healthcare resources. According to NHS data, the waiting time for an initial ADHD assessment can extend to over 18 months in several regions across the UK. This poses a risk not just to individual mental health, but to wider public safety as well, given the rising tide of untreated cases.

The current discourse surrounding ADHD needs is further complicated by skepticism and accusations of "fake claimants," which lessens public understanding and empathy, stigmatizing those who genuinely require help. The perception that private assessments guarantee diagnoses only adds to public mistrust, placing individuals who seek help through these channels in a precarious position of disbelief and denial of rightful medication.

Official bodies like the Office for National Statistics (ONS) note that precise data tracking deaths by specifically while on a diagnostic waiting list is not centrally recorded or fully known.
Research shows that adults with ADHD are roughly five times more likely to die than the general population, with up to 1 in 4 women with ADHD experiencing an attempt in their lifetimes.

Independent reviews (such as the NHS ADHD Taskforce Report) emphasize that unsupported, undiagnosed neurodivergence strongly correlates with severe mental distress, educational and financial instability, and heightened ending risk.

Coroners in the UK have explicitly warned of future deaths and declining mental health resulting from prolonged delays and rejected or stagnant referrals within neurodevelopmental pathways.

To tackle this urgent crisis, we propose the introduction of emergency legislation that mandates NHS backing for medication prescribed after self-funded ADHD assessments. This would alleviate the backlog, enabling faster access to necessary treatment, thereby preventing avoidable tragedies.

By supporting this legislative change, you can help countless individuals receive the prompt and effective care they desperately need. Together, we can ensure that no more lives are lost due to lack of timely intervention. Please sign this petition to urge our lawmakers to take immediate action and support those in need.