People with anxiety, depression and other common mental health problems will be offered far greater access to talking therapy thanks to a new NHS initiative.
New organisations have been given the go-ahead to provide talking therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy, in every part of Kent and Medway.
This is as a result of the initiative Any Qualified Provider, which opens up choice for patients and gives them more control over their care.
People who feel that anxiety, depression, anger or other emotional wellbeing issues are interfering with their lives, will be able to refer themselves for an assessment by their provider of choice.
Following that assessment, those people who are eligible for NHS-funded therapy will be offered a number of sessions, which may be over the phone or face to face. Others will be offered information and advice.
Dr Darren Cocker Chair of South Kent Coast CCG said: "I am delighted that so soon after World Mental Health Day on 10 October, which this year focuses on depression, we will be seeing such a substantial increase in services locally for people with anxiety, depression and other common mental health problems.
"Talking therapy is approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence as the most effective treatment for people with mild to moderate depression or anxiety.
"We expect people to be able to access treatment much more quickly as a result of this expansion of services, which in itself is likely to improve the outcome for them."
NHS Kent and Medway ran a procurement process for the new services. Organisations which met NHS standards were accredited to become providers. They include NHS organisations, such as Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership (KMPT), Charitable organisations, such as KCA and private organisations such as MHCO Ltd.
Counselling Team Ltd currently provides talking therapy in Shepway, and KMPT in Dover district. That will continue but in addition Counselling Team is offering talking therapy to people in Dover and Deal from 1 October. From 1 November, KCA, KMPT, the Dover Counselling Centre and MHCO Ltd are planning to offer talking therapies across Shepway, Dover and Deal.
Mental Health Matters is also planning to offer therapy to people with mild to moderate needs and Get Stable to people with moderate to severe needs, from 1 December.
All details will be available at www.liveitwell.org.uk.
