New services support health and well-being

Sheffield residents are benefitting from improved mental health services following the expansion of free psychological talking therapies.

Sheffield’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Service, which helps people overcome common mental health issues, now offers specific psychological support and treatment to people experiencing health conditions such as cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic persistent pain, the psychological consequences of cancer survivorship, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, irritable bowel syndrome, skin conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and health-related anxiety.

One in four people each year will experience a mental health problem and in the last year IAPT Service has helped over 12,000 people develop new skills to manage and overcome stress, anxiety and depression.

The new services offer evidence-based talking therapies to people living with long-term physical health conditions who are also experiencing anxiety and/or depression.

Toni Mank, head of IAPT Service, said: “We know that living with a long-term physical health condition such as diabetes or COPD can have a negative impact on how someone feels. Approximately 65 per cent of people with common mental health problems also have a long term physical health condition. We firmly believe that neither physical health nor mental wellbeing should be treated in isolation and we are delighted to be able to offer these new services to the people of Sheffield.”

Steve Thomas, Sheffield GP and clinical director for mental health at NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is a very exciting time for innovation in how physical and mental health services are getting much more joined up. As a GP I know how important it is to think of the whole person, not a separation of mind, emotions and body and to provide care in partnership with the person themselves. Integrated IAPT will help to change how people think and what they do to improve their mental health and well-being. This can be particularly helpful for people who live with a long term physical health problem and who may be at greater risk of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

“If you feel that you could benefit from this service please talk to your GP or practice nurse to see if IAPT could be right for you. You can also search online and refer yourself to local IAPT services via the website or by telephone.”