24th May
As you might have already heard, Supported Self Help is Derbyshire Mind’s early intervention service that enables professionals like yourselves to refer clients directly to our dedicated mental health practitioners, Jamie and Beth, as soon as they present with mental wellbeing problems such as anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem or stress. Individuals can also self-refer if they feel they would benefit from the service!
For more information, and to make a referral or self-referral, visit: www.derbyshiremind.org.uk/supportedselfhelp
What Exactly is Supported Self Help:
This empowering service focuses on improving clients’ awareness and understanding of their mental health symptoms, as well as helping them to improve their mental health and wellbeing by equipping them with practical tools, approaches and resources designed to address unhelpful thought patterns and improve their self-care.
After an initial assessment session, clients will select to follow one of seven core pathways that meets their current mental health needs. This could be: anxiety and panic attacks, depression, low self-esteem, stress, feeling alone, grief and loss, or managing anger.
The client will then go on to meet weekly with their practitioner, using video call or telephone calls, to find out how they are getting on with the exercises and receive ongoing support.
Who Is It For:
Supported Self Help is designed for anyone living in the county of Derbyshire who is starting to struggle with mild-moderate mental health symptoms, such as low mood, worry, anger, low self-esteem and so on, and is motivated to work with a practitioner to improve their symptoms. It is for individuals who are not already under the care of any other mental health services such as CMHT or talking therapy. Supported Self Help is not suitable for people in crisis or experiencing active addiction, is it is not a counselling service, and it is only for those aged 18 and over. (If you are familiar with IAPT's stepped care model, Supported Self Help would essentially sit at around step 1 to 2.)
Outcomes:
We utilise clinical measurement tools (GAD-7, PHQ-9 and SWEMWEBS) at the start, middle and end of the client’s journey.
When this service was delivered previously from GP surgeries, under the old name of ‘Active Monitoring’, we found that over 90% of patients experienced significant improvements to their mental health as measured by their wellbeing scores. The qualitative feedback from surgery teams and GPs, as well as patients, was also always overwhelmingly positive. As we begin delivering the service as a community-based service under the new name of ‘Supported Self Help’ we are seeing equally fantastic clinical outcomes.
Want to Make a Referral:
To make a referral into the Guided Self-Help service please head over to our dedicated webpage: www.derbyshiremind.org.uk/supportedselfhelp
Here you will see an option for clients to make a self-referral and an option for Professionals to make a referral on a client’s behalf.
Just follow the link, complete the form, and we will contact the client within 3 working days to discuss the service and invite them to an assessment session.
Want to Learn More?
If you would interested in learning more about our Supported Self Help service in Derby City, you are welcome to get in contact with the team by replying to this email or emailing supportedselfhelp@derbyshiremind.org.uk
We can potentially help with a number of things, such as for example:
- Visiting your team meeting to talk to you and your colleagues more about the service and who it aimed at, etc, virtually or in person,
- Visit your community group to deliver a talk about the service and how to self-refer
- Sending you our Supported Self Help posters to display in your organisation or flyers to give out to clients;
- Adding you to our Supported Self Help mailing list.
To Help Raise Awareness:
I have attached our flyers for printing and sharing and some Social Media graphics if you would like to help share the good news on your social media channels that Derbyshire Mind’s Supported Self Help service is open for referrals!
Thanks so much everyone,
Best wishes,
Jamie, Beth and Jenny
Supported Self Help Team – Derbyshire Mind
supportedselfhelp@derbyshiremind.org.uk
www.derbyshiremind.org.uk/supportedselfhelp
Derbyshire Mind Telephone: 01332 623732
Feedback from healthcare professionals and patients collected when the service was delivered under the previous name of 'Active Monitoring' within GP surgeries:
“I have been able to access support quickly for patients who need immediate support to enable them to continue functioning in their normal life. It has avoided some needing prolonged periods off work. It has avoided some needing frequent support from ourselves when capacity is so stretched in our own service and given them the more focused support that is required. It has captured some patients who would not have engaged if they had to wait for support.” - Advanced Clinical Practitioner
“Referral is easy. The waiting list is not lengthy so prompt response is achieved. It is a pleasure to offer the service to patients and refer them there and then, knowing that they would be seen within a fortnight! It really feels like this service has filled a previous gap in service provision.” - ACP Lead
“An excellent service! Very useful tools, booklets, and advice. I felt at ease and able to reveal my emotions.” - Ripley patient
“Excellent service. Really has helped me a lot. I would recommend it to anyone struggling.” - Crich Patient