A SUCCESSFUL mental health service in Cumbria is set to launch an online therapy course for people suffering from a range of illnesses including depression and anxiety.

The move will see First Step, which provides talking therapies across the county, offer people the chance to complete a course of CBT via the Internet.

Experts hope it will enable more people to take action to improve their mental health - particularly those who would otherwise struggle or be unable to attend face to face sessions.

Dr Richard Thwaites, consultant psychologist and clinical director of First Step in Cumbria, explained the programme is not computerised but is instead assessed at every stage by a trained therapist within the team.

"This type of CBT means people can do it at night or at weekends," he said.

"We know from the research carried out on this already that people are more likely to stick with it and finish the course because they can do it at a time that suits them.

"Other people don't want a face to face session or don't feel up to it so this should also provide another way for them to do some CBT.

"It's not going to be an alternative service, we are still offering face to face therapy and that will not reduce.

"Instead this will mean even more people will have access to CBT for the first time."

CBT, or cognitive behavioural therapy, helps people manage the way they feel by changing the way they think or behave.

It is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions such as panic attacks, chronic worry, anger or sleep problems.


The First Step team in Barrow It is offered free through the NHS service First Step which operates from a number of locations in Cumbria including GP surgeries and community venues.

The county has one of the highest rates of full recovery in the country.

Dr Thwaites added: "We are ready to start rolling this out very soon and are set to go live with it at the end of October.

"Recovery rates are just as successful and it may also act as a stepping stone for people to attend a face to face session at a later date if they wish."

What is CBT?

- CBT is cognitive behavioural therapy

- It is offered by the NHS and is proven to be extremely successful at helping people to recover from mental health conditions including depression and anxiety

- People can be referred to First Step via their GP or by filling in a form online themselves

World Mental Health Day

- Today, Tuesday October 10, is World Mental Health Day

- It aims to raise awareness of mental health conditions and to bring a close to the stigma that surrounds them

- One in four adults in the UK will experience mental health issues at some point in their lives