Big rise in people seeking mental health support online as lockdown ends

AN ONLINE mental health and wellbeing service has seen a 46% increase in thenumber of people in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area seeking support as lockdown restrictions ease across the country.

SilverCloud Wales is a free online therapy service designed to help people aged 16 and over, experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, depression or stress, manage their mental health and wellbeing.

There’s no need to be referred by a GP – people can sign up and access the NHS Wales service anytime, anywhere, on their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

The rise in numbers comes as new technologies are allowing more people to access NHS services in different ways.

As part of its Help Us, Help You campaign, the Welsh Government is encouraging the public to get to know the breadth of NHS services and options available to them.

The new data from SilverCloud Wales shows that 46% more people in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB area signed up for the online therapy service in May 2021 compared with April.

The same data also shows a 20% rise in people across Wales signing up for help with managing social anxiety in May 2021 compared with

April, indicating that some people may be seeking support with managing their mental health and wellbeing as lockdown restrictions ease. ■■To find out more and sign up, visit: https://nhswales. silvercloudhealth.com/signup or on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/SilverCloud