Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Website offers mental health issues support
NHS Lanarkshire has launched a new website offering tips and support to help people cope with mental health issues.
The Lanarkshire Mind Matters site aims to help people with anxiety, depression and sleep problems by offering free resources.
Dr Gary Tanner told us that the website provides links to self-help for issues including anxiety, depression and panic, as well as a range of free online therapy courses and information.
NHS Lanarkshire’s director of psychological services added: “People can also access ‘Calm Distress’ – a new online therapy course, designed for people aged 16 and over to help with stress, anxiety, emotions, wellbeing.
“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.”
Dr Tanner continued: “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.
“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 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 the future.
“Since it started, hundreds of people from across Lanarkshire have benefited from Calm Distress.
“Psychological Services also continue to offer assessment and treatment to patients using telephone, video, and outpatient clinic consultations.”
There is a range of resources and support offered through the website including “calm distress therapy courses” which help people learn new ways to cope with their own emotions and improve individual wellbeing.
For further details on what the website has to offer, visit https://www. lanarkshiremindmatters.scot.nhs.uk/