Phone line trial for depression sufferers
groundbreaking scheme launched
Published:
A SCHEME to help people in Shetland and the Western Isles deal with depression was launched yesterday in a pilot which is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.
NHS Living Life, which has been established by NHS 24, is a telephone-based scheme which is expected to increase access to psychological therapies in the region.
The island health boards are among five across Scotland taking part in the scheme, which is believed to be the first time a telephony-based service of this kind has been made available in the UK.
A total of 3,000 people a year from across Scotland are expected to use the service, provided from a Clydebank call centre from 1pm-9pm, Monday to Friday.
It will help people aged over 16 to use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy which aims to alter unhelpful thinking and behaviour, which commonly occurs during times of distress.
Backed with more than £1million of funding from the Scottish Government, health officials hope it will help reduce the prescription of anti-depressants for adults with mild to moderate depression.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the scheme would put people “more in control” of their mental health.
She added: “We will also be commissioning a full evaluation of this pilot service to determine whether this can be rolled out nationally in the future”
About 300,000 people in Scotland seek help from their GP for symptoms of depression every year, according to NHS 24 interim chief executive Dr George Crooks.
He said: “While medication is frequently prescribed, there is a broad awareness that psychological therapies such as CBT can provide long-term benefits to patients.”
Western Isles lead nurse for the Community Health and Social Care Partnership Finella Morrison said: “Following discussions with their GP, a patient will be able to access the service by telephone from the privacy and comfort of their own home.
“The service is absolutely confidential.”
Many people with depression have been unable to access treatment due to a shortage of qualified therapists offering face-to-face treatment. For those living in remote and rural areas, the problem is compounded by then having to travel sometimes quite significant distances for face-to-face treatment.
