Psychological Interventions for Depression and Anxiety

Psychological interventions are evidence-based techniques that can be delivered in a variety of ways, including individually and in groups, in person and by video, and increasingly as self-help and guided self-help. Demand for traditional talking therapy remains high, and such resources are limited: however, the expansion of online options means that high-quality, evidence-based interventions are now much more readily accessible.

The public-facing website Lanarkshire Mind Matters summarises what is available to access digitally (see the section called How We Can Help You). The Daylight program, for instance, is a self-referral, self-help program utilising Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques for anxiety, designed for people to use via their mobile phone. There are also a number of SilverCloud online CBT programs for a variety of conditions, including anxiety and depression: referral to these can be made directly from primary care. Some SilverCloud programs offer scheduled online reviews, which in turn can include supportive messages to users from NHS Lanarkshire Psychological Services staff. Some libraries and other publicly accessible buildings can provide computers that people can use to access online programs if they do not have a suitable device themself.

Referral for assessment for talking therapy can be made from primary care to a range of secondary care mental health services: these operate by both geographical locality and specialism.  

Editorial Information

Author(s): NHSL.

Version: Please refer to the introduction section for an explanation of the review dates above.

Approved By: ADTC

Reviewer name(s): ADTC.