We all go through difficult times, and we can feel anxious, stressed or low at times. It can be a healthy reaction to feel negative emotions when facing challenges – especially at the moment when we are concerned about the rising cost of living.
There’s no single “right way” to react, and some of us are more deeply affected by events than others. Everyone is different, but it can be a problem if these feelings get worse, go on for a long time or negatively affect our daily lives.
If mental health problems are getting the better of you, the NHS in Sutton has partnered with ieso Digital Health to deliver a new online therapy for people aged 18 and over and registered with a GP in Sutton.
ieso provides text-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered on a one-to-one basis by a qualified mental health therapist. CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression and other common mental health problems.
With ieso, typed CBT takes place online. Patients log into their ieso therapy account and meet with their therapist in a secure, confidential online therapy room and they take it in turns to type to each other.
Typed CBT is proven to be as effective as face-to-face CBT and evidence shows that just as many people feel better after online treatment as after face-to-face treatment.
Online therapy has many benefits, for example; waiting times can be shorter; it’s very flexible and can be accessed anywhere on a phone, tablet or desktop. You don’t need to spend time travelling to and from appointments. Sessions are confidential and discreet and, because you are using “typed” chat, can be completed whilst others are in the home.
Your therapist can be contacted inbetween sessions to give you support with tasks. This helps with problem solving, homework setting and keeping yourself on track
Dr Deborah Stinson, consultant psychiatrist at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust and clinical lead for adult mental health for Sutton, said:
“The impact of the rising cost of living on people’s mental wellbeing means that more people need our support to help them cope with anxiety, stress or depression.
“We want to make sure that anyone who is struggling with their mental health can receive support early, in a way that works for them. Digital services like ieso’s help people access therapy online which they may find more convenient that traditional face-to-face support services.”
“We want Sutton residents to know that they are not alone and that we’re here to help them find a solution to mental health problems they may be facing.”
Dr Deborah Stinson
Contact the service
If you think this service would help you, you can speak to your GP and they can refer you to ieso, and you can also refer yourself by visiting the website.
If you would like to know more about the service, you can contact ieso’s Patient Services Team, Monday-Friday, 9am to 5.30pm
Patient services team
0800 074 5560