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Talking therapies help diabetes patients tackle MH issues

Talking therapies help diabetes patients tackle MH issues
22 February 2018



Talking therapy services in North West London have helped diabetes patients to deal with their mental health (MH) issues.

MH issues

Research from Diabetes UK shows that three in five people with diabetes experience emotional or mental health issues, while one in five have used professional counseling to help them manage their condition.  

Talking therapy services in North West London have helped diabetes patients to deal with their mental health (MH) issues.

MH issues

Research from Diabetes UK shows that three in five people with diabetes experience emotional or mental health issues, while one in five have used professional counseling to help them manage their condition.  

A Brent patient diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes said: 'Talking therapies have been so important in reducing my anxiety and helping me to allow myself to feel confident in the management of my health.

‘I feel so much better than when I first came and I know what I need to continue doing to get where I want to be in the future.’

Talking therapies is a free national NHS scheme, which aims to help adults over the age of 18 suffering mental health difficulties such as stress, anxiety, low mood and depression.

Training programme 

NHS North West London collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) teamed up with experts at the University of Kent’s Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS) and chartered psychologist Dr Kate Hamilton-West to develop a training programme for counsellors and psychological wellbeing practitioners.

The scheme, which was designed to improve the talking therapies, offers practitioners ‘a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between mental and physical health’ and enhances their confidence in helping patients manage their conditions.

Results from the two-day training workshops reveals that initial understanding of this relationship was between 77 and 95% compared to 100% after the training completion.

Kiran Seth, a counsellor for the talking therapies service in Brent, said: ‘The training gave me a better understanding of long term conditions and how they can affect a patient’s mental wellbeing.

‘This will help me build patients’ confidence in our service as they know we are aware of their needs.’

Practitioners can find an online version of the training here

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