NHS Trust piloting innovative online therapy service

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is increasing access to mental health support in Kirklees and Calderdale through an innovative online therapy service known as Big White Wall.

Big White Wall is a website which uses online social networking to enable people to talk about their feelings, emotions and problems in a safe, non-judgemental and anonymous environment.

The Trust is piloting the service across Kirklees and Calderdale, offering the online therapy to complement the traditional service it provides through its Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) teams in the areas.

Service users who access IAPT services will be offered the opportunity to use Big White Wall, and will be supported by a range of qualified therapists from the team to do so.

People will be able to access Big White Wall’s online community resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and take part in online therapy sessions with experienced counsellors and therapists via webcam, audio or instant messaging.

Users will also be able to take advantage of Big White Wall’s self-management materials, community peer support, and the website’s ‘Wall’, which allows people to design a ‘brick’ to express themselves creatively.

John Butler, IAPT manager, said: “Our IAPT service is all about helping people get quick and easy access to the best type of therapy for their individual needs – and by introducing an online service, it opens up more opportunities for people to get the help they need.

“Introducing Big White Wall as an extension of our services will lead to increased access through extended opening hours, meaning we can provide support and care to people when they need it most.”