Free online therapy for Trafford residents

Trafford PCT, in collaboration with the local metropolitan council, is to start offering free online cognitive behaviour therapy to all residents in the area.

The Relief Series, an online step-by-step guide to beating anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia, will be available to all 1.5m people within the Trafford metropolitan boundaries; not just those covered by Trafford PCT. Residents will need a valid Trafford postcode in order to enter the system.

The scheme, to start this summer, will be advertised in GP surgeries and in the local press. A particular effort will be made to target groups identified as high risk for depression and stress, such as young males, patients with chronic disease and ethnic minorities.

The Relief series comprises of a set of steps, questionnaires, diagrams and facts about the four illnesses, which patients are encouraged to work through at their own pace. Each user’s session is password protected and confidential.

John Smith, sales director of Ultrasis plc, the software company that developed the solution, said: "We’re delighted to be working with Trafford PCT in tackling mental health issues in such a proactive manner. The Relief Series offers valid solutions to the very common problems of anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia, and it is most encouraging to see a PCT making valuable help so easily accessible to all its patients."

Dr Rachel Howard, GP lead for mental health at the PCT’s professional executive committee, said: "Knowing that sufferers may find it difficult to approach traditional sources of help, we wanted to introduce a package that would raise awareness of mental health issues as well as providing support and treatment.

"Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council is keen to make such a service available to all residents and the Ultrasis Relief Series also supports the PCT’s Mental Health Promotion Strategy."

The company was recently successful in having its computerised cognitive behaviour therapy system for depression, Beating the Blues, evaluated and recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Ultrasis said that the system will be rolled out nationally by March 2007.

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