TalkingSpace and Healthy Minds help people get through ‘Blue Monday’

The third Monday of January has become known as ‘Blue Monday’ – supposedly, the most depressing day of the year. It is said that the cold weather, post-Christmas blues and ... Read more

The third Monday of January has become known as ‘Blue Monday’ – supposedly, the most depressing day of the year. It is said that the cold weather, post-Christmas blues and money worries before January’s first payday make it the most miserable day in the calendar.

The truth behind ‘Blue Monday’ (this year, 16 January) is debatable. But what is clear is that January is a month when hundreds of people seek professional help for depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. However, Oxfordshire’s TalkingSpace and Buckinghamshire’s Healthy Minds, both free psychological therapy services available through the NHS, are preparing themselves to help people cope at this difficult time.

June Dent, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at TalkingSpace, said: “Last year we got a significant rise in referrals in January: 21 per cent more than in December. This January seems to be following the same pattern. We know that this can be a challenging time of year but free and easy-to-access therapy is available through the NHS. We welcome people to either get referred to us so that we can help them or get in contact with us (www.talkingspaceoxfordshire.org) so we can offer advice.”

A joint venture between Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind, TalkingSpace offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help people cope with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression, post-traumatic stress, panic, phobias, health anxiety, social anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders. People can refer themselves to TalkingSpace or be referred by their GP, a health or social care professional, Job Centre Plus or any mental health organization. Once referred, there are various courses of treatment on offer, from telephone support to one-to-one therapy sessions and group workshops.

Dr. John Pimm, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Healthy Minds, said: “Owing to the current economic climate, with people either out of work or worrying about their finances, we are sure that at the start of the year many people will be feeling low or anxious. The good news, however, is that we are on hand to help. We welcome people to visit our web site on www.healthymindsbucks.nhs.uk or call us on 0844 2252 400 so that we can arrange a brief telephone appointment to discuss how we can help them.”

Healthy Minds offers effective talking therapies to help people cope with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, worry or sleep disturbance. This year over 6000 people in Buckinghamshire will be referred to Healthy Minds. People can contact Healthy Minds themselves or be referred by their GP, a health or social care professional, Job Centre Plus or any voluntary sector organisation.

 

Follow this link to hear June Dent talk to Heart FM about TalkingSpace:

https://www.heart.co.uk/thamesvalley/news/local/help-oxfordshire-beat-january-blues/ 

 

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Published: 16 January 2012