The form will be available from tomorrow, Thursday October 10, to coincide with World Mental Health Day. The Healthy Minds Service is a service for individuals aged 17 or over who have mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. The primary aim of the Healthy Minds service is to enable people to learn healthier coping strategies to improve their mental wellbeing.

Dr Beverley Tachon, Counselling Psychologist and Manager for Healthy Minds, said: “we are delighted to launch this self-referral option. It will increase the availability of our service and people’s opportunity to access psychological interventions earlier, so helping to prevent longer term mental health issues. Of course we still accept referrals through GPs and we would always encourage people to discuss any issues with their GP. But this self-referral system provides the option of free access to anyone who has a concern. The online form can be found at gov.gg/healthyminds."

Following completion of the online form, therapists from the Healthy Minds Service will discuss the client’s needs with them and then will be able to offer a variety of psychological interventions. These interventions include skills based workshops on topics such as understanding and managing anxiety and low mood, stress, mindfulness and assertiveness, a supported online Cognitive Behavioural programme (supported by Healthy Minds staff), 1 to 1 guided self-help and 1 to 1 support covering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, counselling and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing.

Health & Social Care said it was pleased that this development has been possible. 

Healthy Minds will also be holding a drop in at the Guilles Alles Library on Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 October from 17:00 to 19:00. Everyone is very welcome to pop in to find out more about the service, the self-referral option and the interventions available. Further information is also available on gov.gg/healthyminds or email healthyminds@gov.gg.

Pictured top: Healthy Minds is run out of the Oberlands Centre.