As ‘Blue Monday’ approaches, Kirklees people encouraged to seek help for common mental health issues

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Monday 21st January 2013 is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year, known as ‘Blue Monday’. With this in mind, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is reminding Kirklees people that 1 in 4 of us may experience a mental health problem and help and advice is available.

The Trust has been running a campaign across Kirklees in GP surgeries, libraries, leisure centres, pharmacies and workplaces – informing people about common mental health problems and reassuring them that help is available from the local NHS IAPT team.

The IAPT team (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) is encouraging people to go to their GP and ‘ask for IAPT’ – this means asking for psychological therapy that is both timely and effective.

Dr Sheila Lewis, consultant clinical psychologist and the Trust’s psychological therapies lead for Kirklees, explained, “Many people experience problems with their psychological (mental) wellbeing at some point in their lives. Life changing events like losing a job, an accident, the loss of a loved one or a traumatic incident can lead to feelings that can be hard to cope with.

“However, it is equally common for people to develop problems for no apparent reason. Problems like mild depression, anxiety, stress, panicking, nervousness, isolation and loss of sleep can make it difficult for us to cope with life’s daily demands.

“We are using Blue Monday as an opportunity to remind people that if you feel like you are experiencing these problems you do not need to try and cope on your own. If you live in Kirklees and are over the age of 18, the IAPT service can help.”

The IAPT service is a team of psychological staff specially chosen to work alongside local GPs. The team can help:

  • Address current problems
  • Gain a new understanding of difficulties and develop new ways of coping
  • Enable a person to make changes in their life
  • Talk about difficulties in a non-judgemental and supportive environment
  • Access other specialist services, if needed

Dr Lewis continued, “To access our IAPT service all people have to do is go to their GP and ask for IAPT, you will then be put in touch with us. Help is quick and easy to obtain. Care is tailored to each individual and we can help you get back to living your life to the full.”

The service also offers a free stress course which can be accessed without a GP referral by calling 01484 434625. This course is available to anyone who would like to learn better ways of managing stress.

Find out more at www.askforIAPT.co.uk

As ‘Blue Monday’ approaches, Kirklees people encouraged to seek help for common mental health issues

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