IT is estimated that more than 19,000 people across Thurrock are currently experiencing mental illness.
To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May 2015), NHS Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is asking anyone who is struggling with common mental health problems such as stress, depression, loneliness or anxiety to access support.
The CCG commissions South Essex Partnership Trust (SEPT) to run the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service called Therapy For You in Thurrock. The service offers a range of mental health resources and courses designed to meet peoples’ differing level of need.
Dr Rajan Mohile, Thurrock CCG Clinical Lead for Mental Health, said: “The service can help people deal with all sorts of mental health-related problems such as coping with challenging situations, improving relationships, or developing less stressful ways of living.”
He continued: “There is rather a Cinderella attitude to Mental Health services and it is only now getting the recognition that it deserves in society. It still appears to have a social stigma attached to it where people think that having mental health problems may mean that they themselves are to blame for having them.
As a result they (wrongly) believe they shouldn’t talk about it and that they should try to get over it by themselves. For those suffering mental health problems, I would suggest that the more you consider that your problem is minor, the more likely it is that the IAPT service may be able to help you. There is no need to make an appointment with your GP (although GPs would be happy to discuss your problems with you), simply pick up the phone and call Therapy For You directly.”
People in Thurrock can refer themselves to this free service by calling 01268739128 or they can access the service through their website and filling in an online enquiry form: www.therapyforyou.co.uk
