Online therapy delivered by NHS

A new digital innovation from NHS Lanarkshire’s psychological services is bringing high-quality psychological help straight to people’s screens in Monklands.

Calm Distress is an online therapy course designed for people aged 16 and over which helps residents “understand their emotions and improve their wellbeing”.

The course is the next step in the development of the health board’s pioneering website Lanarkshire Mind Matters, which has provided support during the pandemic.

Covid-19 restrictions mean NHS staff are unable to run classes or groups in the community like they used to.

Calm Distress addresses this by bringing stress-beating strategies directly to people’s computers, tablets or mobile phones.

Clinical psychologist Dr Alison Mccusker, who led the development of the course, explained: “The idea is simple; to provide high-quality, evidence-based therapeutic ideas in a way that anyone with an internet connection can access.

“The course is made up of pre-recorded videos, plus downloadable material.

“Over five friendly sessions, Calm Distress will guide people through ways by which they can open up to day-to-day stress, recognise their warning signs, and learn new ways to cope.

“Each Calm Distress video is about 20 minutes long, giving you lots of useful information in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

“You can watch the videos in any order you like, depending on what you want to focus on – for example difficult thoughts or feelings – and you can keep going back to them any time.

“There are also booklets to go alongside the videos, which you can download and dip into if you like. We’ve designed it so you can do what you feel works for you, whenever you want.”

Dr Gary Tanner, director of psychological services at NHS Lanarkshire, added: “Calm Distress is another major step forward in our digital development.

“Covid-19 has highlighted the need to do things differently, and our staff have been working tirelessly to develop new ideas.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people across Lanarkshire to access help and advice that they can put into practice straight away. Calm Distress will be of potential benefit to thousands of people, both now and in future.”

Calm Distress is available to anyone aged 16 and over who is registered with a Lanarkshire GP.

It is accessed by self-referral via the “how we can help you” pages of the Lanarkshire Mind Matters website at https://www. lanarkshiremindmatters.scot.nhs.uk/calmdistress-online-course-overview/

Once registered, people can access the course as many times as they like.

Stress relief The course helps people “understand their emotions”