Our Psychological Wellbeing Service carries on supporting people during lockdown

The service provides CCBT (computerised cognitive behavioural therapy) to people living with mild/moderate anxiety, depression or stress.

Before the pandemic, the service operated at a number of Warrington GP surgeries. People looking for support with their mental health would complete a number of tasks and worksheets on a computer, before attending a follow up session with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

But since March 2020, people have only been able to access support from their own homes, via a phone, electronic tablet, or computer. Follow up sessions have been conducted by video call or voice call, depending on preference.

Sarah Booth is a psychological wellbeing practitioner at our Psychological Wellbeing Service. She said: "At the start of the pandemic, all we could focus on was what we had lost. In counselling and therapy terms, that meant face-to-face sessions, and we all assumed that would be devastating.

"But as time went on, we started to get the sense that the support we provide was just as effective over the phone. When February's results came through, we were delighted to see that our gut feeling proved to be correct."

Sarah says that the service has learned a lot by shifting the way it operates during the pandemic.

She said: "For people living with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, sometimes coming into a doctor's surgery for an appointment can be too much of a mountain to climb.

"Attending a face-to-face appointment can also be difficult for people with caring responsibilities, or transport or mobility issues.

"We are looking into offering a hybrid service in the future, with people able to choose whether they would like to attend in person, or from home. In this way, we can offer the best of both worlds."

Sarah says that the number of people not turning up to their appointments - known as DNAs or did not attends - is also at a record low.

James Maxwell*, who received support from the service during lockdown, said: "I am very grateful for what this service has offered. It has really helped me change my thoughts when having a bad day and I’m finally starting to see the positive side of things in life.

"I feel my therapist listened to every single issue I had and helped with every issue I had. She was very supportive throughout and gave me a boost to continue working on exercises and getting better’.

Deena Seargent*, who lives in Grappenhall, has just been signed off by the service. She said: "These past weeks have been invaluable to me in learning about the specific triggers for my anxiety and worries. I now feel much more prepared to tackle my thoughts when they arise using the techniques I have learnt.

"My therapist was really open and understanding throughout the whole process and helped me to reflect on the activities each week and make them more specific to my situation."

*Names have been changed