A North Cornwall psychotherapist has said that a significant rise in anxiety, depression, and stress across Cornwall is creating a mental health crisis that demands urgent attention.

Kate Hudson-Hall is a psychotherapist, author, and podcaster based in Bude, and she is now calling for urgent action to tackle a growing ‘mental health crisis’ across the county.

Recent data has painted a worrying picture of the state of Cornwall’s mental health. Mental health referrals for children at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPNFT) have soared by 157 per cent in the last five years, with 11,612 referrals in 2023, compared to 4,512 in 2019 according to Medical Negligence Assist.

An anxiety specialist with 22 years of experience, Kate said: “Enough is enough. Anxiety in the UK population has reached epic proportions as people continue to grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, skyrocketing energy prices, and other stressors. These pressures are particularly acute in Cornwall, where access to effective mental health support has become increasingly strained.”

Kate’s own journey with anxiety and an eating disorder inspired her career as a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner. She has authored the book Anxiety Hacks and hosts a popular podcast offering tools to help individuals manage anxiety.

“Anxiety is a complex mental health issue with biological, social, and psychological causes. Left untreated, it can escalate into overwhelming feelings or debilitating panic attacks,” Kate explains. “We urgently need more public investment and services to address these challenges, particularly among young people and middle-aged groups.”

Kate is urging the NHS, local authorities, and the public to invest in accessible and effective mental health resources for Cornwall’s residents.

“This is an urgent issue,” she emphasises. “Everyone deserves access to the support and tools they need to manage anxiety and rebuild their lives.”