An NHS service in Sheffield is helping more people to get help to overcome stress, anxiety and depression. 

1 in 4 people each year will experience a mental health problem and Sheffield Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Service has helped over 12,000 people in the last year to develop new skills to manage and overcome stress, anxiety and depression.  But they want to help even more people and, as a result, changing and expanding the services they offer.

The re-launched service offers more choice and quicker access to help people get the right help, at the right time in a way that suits their individual needs.  A drop-in session is being held on Thursday 19 May (10am-12noon) at the Circle, Rockingham Lane, S1 4FW where anyone can come along and find out more about the new therapies on offer.

Toni Mank, Head of IAPT Service at Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very excited to be able to offer these new ways of getting help to the people of Sheffield.  They will now be able to access help online, have therapy sessions using Skype and even attend group sessions online.  This will give everyone more choice about how they access support and increase the support available to people who, for whatever reason, are not able to attend in person.

“Our new website, which will be launched on 19 May, will allow people to book themselves directly onto a range of specialist groups and courses designed to help people manage a range of emotional difficulties.  Or they can choose a telephone assessment with a member of the IAPT team to help decide which therapy may be most helpful. 

“We have Stress Control courses, Improving Wellbeing Sessions for Overcoming Low Mood and for Overcoming Anxiety and Worry as well as online therapy programmes.  We also offer a Living Well with Pain course and a Living Well with Long-Term Conditions course.   Other therapies are also available.”

Dr Steve Thomas, Sheffield GP and Clinical Director for Mental Health at NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said, ”Recognising the fundamental importance of mental wellbeing and dealing with mental distress and illness has never been so high on our agenda as a society - and quite rightly so. 

“The work  that the Sheffield IAPT team has been doing to contribute to this agenda is also of fundamental importance. New digital methods of accessing care and support means that many more people will be able to take advantage of the skills on offer. The range of support, education and interventions will also mean that self-care and prevention of stress, anxiety and low mood can be available to more people. When it is appropriate people who need face to face appointments or group work will also be able to access these in a timely way. The work that IAPT does supports people to live well with chronic long term physical health conditions such as diabetes and pain, recognising the effect that these conditions have on our mental health.

“We need to continue to work on recognising that we are whole people with a body and mind and the type of care and support that the NHS provides should reflect this. IAPT works well in dealing with us as ‘whole’ people and the new methods and innovations will continue to help in this area.”

To find out more visit www.iaptsheffield.shsc.nhs.uk from 19 May or telephone 0114 2264380.

IAPT services are commissioned by NHS Sheffield CCG