GP appointments related to mental health have risen by 50 per cent since the pandemic, a survey has found.

       Charities and campaigners have long warned of the “mental health crisis” that would be brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and the multiple national lockdowns.

       However, according to a poll conducted by Pulse, an industry publisher that specialises in reporting primary care, around 38 per cent of GP consultations now have a mental health element, compared with 25 per cent pre-Covid.

       Furthermore, seven in 10 GPs said they were working beyond their competence in dealing with children's mental health issues, while 63 per cent said the same for adults.

       Many were battling to get children seen by specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

       Patients discharged to GPs

       One GP based in south-east London said: "I have not had a CAMHS referral accepted for at least the past two years - all rejected as 'not actively suicidal, discharged to GP'."

       Another told Pulse: "CAMHS reject every single referral, even in children presenting to hospital with overdose."

       The Royal College of Psychiatrists responded to the poll, saying it was seeing “record” referrals and there were not enough psychiatrists for the workload.

       The Pulse snapshot poll of 569 family doctors found that many GPs were having to provide a range of support during their consultations with patients.

       These included managing suicidal thoughts in adults (86 per cent were providing this support), mental health crises (81 per cent) and monitoring patients who should be monitored by a specialist team (70 per cent).

       Some 69 per cent of GPs were diagnosing children and adolescents with mental health issues and 66 per cent were dealing with suicidal thoughts in children.

       Responding to the data, Dr Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "The pandemic has had an enormous impact on people's mental health, with children and young people particularly affected.

       "As a result, we've seen a significant increase in demand on mental health services, with a record 4.3 million referrals for treatment during 2021.

       "There are currently not enough psychiatrists to meet the demand on mental health services, and that gap is growing.

       "Workforce shortages have an enormous impact on waiting times and undermine the quality of care that patients deserve. GPs are a valuable first point of contact for mental health needs, but they should not be expected to the plug the gaps in access to specialist care.

       "The Government must urgently increase investment in mental health services and take seriously future workforce planning, to alleviate the current pressures impacting both patients and practitioners."

       A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson added: "Improving access to mental health care is a top priority and we are investing an additional ￡2.3 billion a year into services by 2023/24.

       "This will help 370,000 adults and older adults with severe mental illnesses have greater choice and control over their care, and 345,000 more children and young people access specialist NHS-funded mental health care if they need it.”