Help Us Help You: NHS Talking Therapies

The NHS is encouraging anyone struggling with feelings of depression, or anxiety such as excessive worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or obsessions and compulsions, to seek help through NHS Talking Therapies services. These are effective, confidential and free treatments delivered by trained clinicians, online, on the phone, or in person.

If you’re struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety, seeking help through an NHS Talking Therapies service can be one of the best steps you can take to overcome mental health issues and get back on track.

NHS Talking Therapies can help provide support and treatment for common mental health problems, such as:

• feeling anxious
• feeling low and hopeless
• having panic attacks
• finding it hard to cope with work, life or relationships
• struggling with flashbacks or nightmares about upsetting events from your past
• feeling stressed
• worrying a lot
• obsessive thoughts or behaviours
• fear of social situations
• being afraid of things, such as spiders, flying or heights (phobias)

You do not need to have a diagnosed mental health problem to refer yourself to an NHS Talking Therapies service. Getting support as soon as you start having difficulties can help to reduce their impact.

For those whose first language is not English, talking therapies can be delivered through multi-lingual therapists or through confidential interpreters, and in British Sign Language (BSL) through Sign Health’s NHS Therapies for Deaf People service.

Your GP can refer you for NHS Talking Therapies, or you can refer yourself online at nhs.uk/talk.