NHS Trust advises Calderdale to ‘ask for IAPT’ in support of Mental Health Awareness Week
In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging people in Calderdale experiencing anxiety or depression to seek support from specialist IAPT services.
IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) provides psychological treatments, sometimes called ‘talking treatments’, to help people who are stressed, depressed or anxious.
Each year, the Mental Health Foundation runs Mental Health Awareness Week, which promotes a topic such as loneliness, anger or fear in a bid to reduce stigma and raise awareness. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12 – 18 May and the theme for 2014 is ‘anxiety’.
To support the initiative, the Trust is encouraging people experiencing these common mental health conditions to visit their GP and ‘ask for IAPT’. People wishing to access the service in Calderdale can also contact the team directly by calling 01422 222888.
The experienced professionals in the Calderdale IAPT team work alongside local GPs to help people address their current problems; develop new ways of coping, and talk about any difficulties they may be experiencing in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. They can help people in lots of different ways by offering online treatments, telephone treatments, evening classes, and face to face treatment.
Libby Smith, mental health services manager, said: “Many people experience anxious feelings and low mood. Sometimes, however, stress and worry can take over your life, and it’s much more common than you would think with one in four people experiencing mental health problems. If you’re finding it hard to cope, IAPT can help.
“Our trained professionals provide tailored techniques and therapies to help you manage and control your condition, and all it takes is a visit to your GP or a call to us.”
For more information about IAPT services in Calderdale, call 01422 222888 or visit www.askforIAPT.co.uk