Dudley libraries to promote free NHS mental health support

Dudley's libraries are to help raise awareness of free NHS mental health support as part of a new partnership between NHS England and charitable social enterprise GLL.

The initiative will see information about NHS Talking Therapies displayed across all 13 libraries in the borough, giving visitors an opportunity to find out about the support available in familiar community spaces.

Materials will include posters, book inserts, specially designed book spines and digital screensavers on public computers.

NHS Talking Therapies is a free and confidential service for adults in England, offering practical techniques to help people manage conditions including anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder and phobias.

People do not need a formal diagnosis to use the service and can refer themselves without going through their GP.

The partnership is the first time NHS England has worked with a library network in this way, with the aim of reaching people who might not otherwise seek information about mental health support.

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 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."

Anyone wishing to access NHS Talking Therapies should visit nhs.uk/talk