An NHS service in North Lincolnshire is using Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May) to remind residents that therapy support is available if they are experiencing common mental health problems like anxiety and stress.

 The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) teams at The Talking Shop, Market Hill in Scunthorpe, is encouraging people to get in touch to improve their mental wellbeing.

The IAPT service which is run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) provides a range of ‘talking’ therapy support to help people to manage their mental health.

The team offers free talking therapies to help people cope with and manage a range of common mental health problems such as mild to moderate depression, general anxiety disorder, panic, stress, health anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder.

Lisa Briggs, RDaSH Team Manager at the Talking Shop, said: “Now more than ever looking after your mental health is so important during this difficult, uncertain time and I would urge anyone who needs support to get in touch.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic the IAPT services have adapted the way they work. As well as offering telephone and video calls the teams have recently launched an online support programme called Mind District. This programme provides self-help strategies, skills and techniques to manage common mental health conditions.

Talking therapies are available free to North Lincolnshire residents aged 18 years and over. Local people can self-refer into the service by telephoning 07967 793433.