New initiative will raise awareness of NHS Talking Therapies through libraries in Bromley, Greenwich and Wandsworth helping more people discover free, confidential support for common mental health conditions
The NHS in England is partnering with charitable social enterprise GLL to raise awareness of NHS Talking Therapies through its network of ‘Better’ libraries in Bromley, Greenwich and Wandsworth, helping more people find out about the mental health support available to them.
The initiative will see campaign materials displayed across south London libraries, using familiar library spaces to share information about NHS Talking Therapies and encourage people who may be struggling with their mental health to seek support.
NHS Talking Therapies is a free, confidential service for adults in England offering practical skills and techniques to help people manage and overcome a range of mental health conditions including social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and phobias.
People do not need a diagnosed mental health condition to access the service and can refer themselves directly, making it easier to take the first step towards getting help.
As part of the partnership, campaign materials will be displayed across Better libraries in a range of formats, including posters, book inserts, specially designed book spines and digital screensavers on public computers. Together, these resources will help make information about NHS Talking Therapies visible to library users as they browse, borrow books and use library facilities.
The partnership marks the first time the NHS in England has worked with a library network in this way, creating a new route for reaching people who may not otherwise seek information about mental health support.
Libraries are familiar, accessible community spaces that people visit for a wide range of reasons. By sharing information in these everyday settings, the campaign aims to help more people discover the support available and feel able to take the next step when they need it.
A spokesperson for NHS England said:
“NHS England is delighted to be supporting this initiative, which will help reach an even wider audience.
“NHS Talking Therapies is free and confidential, and we would urge anyone with symptoms of anxiety or depression to get in touch, either through their GP or by self-referral.”
Joseph Rham, GLL’s Customer and Communities Director said:
“We are proud to be working with the NHS in England on an initiative that brings information about mental health support into the heart of local communities. Libraries are trusted, welcoming spaces and we want to make sure people can access information about the help available to them in places they already know and use.
“Through this partnership, we hope to raise awareness of NHS Talking Therapies, encourage more people to explore the support on offer and help make taking that first step feel easier.”
By joining forces of the NHS with the community presence of GLL’s library network, the partnership aims to make information about mental health support easier to find and help more people understand how they can access NHS Talking Therapies.
Anyone wishing to access NHS Talking Therapies should visit www.nhs.uk/talk
