Self-help sessions to tackle Covid-19 issues and beyond
People in Forth Valley now have access to a wider range of online self-help packages for coping with Covid-19, depression, anxiety, and the emotional impact of some physical health problems.
The aids target Covid-19 stress, depression, social anxiety, health anxiety, and the emotional impact of conditions such as heart disease, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and lung conditions.
During online sessions, from Silver Cloud, people can watch video clips, complete exercises and learn Cognitive BehaviouralTherapy techniques that can help with depression and anxiety.
Anyone who wants to be referred to the programme should contact their local GP practice.
Dr Sally Rankine, NHS FV’s head of adult mental health psychology, said:“These packages arrive at a time when they are especially needed, with the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown adding to emotional strain for many people. But they will continue to be helpful to a wide range of people even when the current situation improves.”
Dr Susie Porteous, NHS FV’s head of clinical health psychology, added:“People with long-term physical health problems such as chronic pain and diabetes can experience anxiety and low mood and the packages are designed to help people manage the psychological aspects of living with these long-term conditions.”
NHS Forth Valley was the first health board in Scotland to offer Beating the Blues, an online self help programme for depression. Like Beating the Blues, the Silver Cloud packages can be completed at home on any device including PC, laptop, mobile phone and tablet or in a community setting with access to computers such as a library.