New service to tackle depression and anxiety

Ben Blackshaw, Louise Clancy, Vjosa Govori and Sophie Dance

A team of four new therapists have been brought in by local NHS provider Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare, to treat patients with low intensity mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Funded by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, the therapists have been appointed as part of a national programme called Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) which aims to make mental health services more available to the public.

Liz Woodings, Mental Health Services Manager for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare, commented: “IAPT will help to improve access to mental health services in our area and play an important part in promoting the wellbeing of people living in the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale area.

“The most common causes of depression and anxiety are work stress and unemployment, financial problems, relationship difficulties and loss or bereavement, so we have developed a range of support services which can help people to get through a bad time.”

Ms Woodings continued: “If you’re depressed you often lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. Depression commonly interferes with your work, social and family life and there are many other symptoms, which can be physical, psychological and social.”

The IAPT programme will also focus on helping people get back to work or to stay in employment. By working with key partners such as the Job Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau, the programme will help people to start working again and improve their wellbeing.