NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s department of Psychology has recently launched an online therapy programme for adults experiencing mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety. The Beating the Blues programme is a free, confidential GP referral service that is accessed by computer within the home or local library. The Psychology department is also linking with third sector partners to extend access to other community settings for people who do not have a computer and are delighted to have Support in Mind Scotland working with them to host the service within their new premises in Munches Street, Dumfries.
Dr Mhairi Williams, Clinical Psychology Lead for the programme said “Beating the Blues is an exciting programme hosted by the Department of Psychology that has been tried and tested in other Boards throughout Scotland over the last ten years with good success. “
“The programme is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based, self help treatment model for people experiencing mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety who are looking to take a pro-active approach to their recovery”.
Dr Williams explained: “CBT has been used successfully for many years to treat stress, anxiety and depression. This is an interactive programme that helps you to learn alternative coping strategies to manage your symptoms better and requires the completion of tasks in between sessions. Anyone interested should contact their GP who can refer them into the service”.
The Programme is fully supported by the Beating the Blues Co-ordinator, Ross McCole who will make contact within a few working days of a GP referral to help people get started and Ross will also check in at different stages throughout treatment.
Ross said: “The Beating the Blues programme is free, easy to use and completely confidential. It involves eight 50 minute sessions that participants can progress at their own pace. The programme has been live for around four months now and is proving to be popular. I have already received over 80 referrals which is very encouraging”.
“Studies have shown that 70% of people who complete the online CBT programme require no further treatment and 89% of participants rated Beating the Blues as helpful”.
For further information, including a demonstration video, log on to the website Beatingtheblues.co.uk or contact your GP.
