Lightbulb innovation: a web-based self-help programme for people with stress, anxiety and depression

Image of a lightbulb with the words lightbulb innovationsA web-based self-help programme for people with stress, anxiety and depression has been developed by a nurse in Wales.

The Serenity Programme, as it's known, has been accessed over 25,000 times since its launch two years ago, and won numerous awards. It enables people to receive treatment for common mental health problems in their own homes without the need to travel or attend NHS mental health premises. People at work who cannot access office hours health services, individuals with agoraphobia or those who are fearful of the stigma of the mental health label.

Steve Cottrell, Consultant Nurse Therapist at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (Colwyn Bay), designed and developed the innovative programme, and crucially, says Steve, "users of the service were involved in the design from day one."

So why a self-help programme? Steve has been involved in cognitive behaviour therapy for many years, and understands that people have different needs. Focus groups with long term unemployed people and others identified individuals who need but do not access help. Cutbacks in services have led to longer waiting times for individuals who need support, especially one-to-one support. Longer waiting lists for one-to-one therapy has led to an increase in group therapy which many individuals find unacceptable. Hence the need for an individual programme which is easily accessible.

Referrals from primary care are assessed and entered onto a programme which blends face-to-face contact with an Internet based programme and telephone support. Cost savings result from increased throughput (100% greater than treatment as usual - TAU) and reduced need to travel (for both users and practitioners). The programme is at least as effective as TAU, cheaper to provide and delivers a higher rate of user satisfaction. As one client puts it, "I really liked the points of interest, helpful hints, and breakdown of what was wrong and how I could deal with it".

The Serenity programme is available at www.serene.me.uk. If you would like to discuss how the Serenity Programme could be implemented in your area, contact Steve Cottrell, email: transactional@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @serenityprogram.

Website: RCN Frontline First

 

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