Local NHS leaders are reminding Sefton residents that there is a free, confidential service to support people with anxiety, depression and other common mental health conditions.

Sefton Council’s ‘Sefton in Mind’ campaign launched on Monday 10 September, covering the 30 days that fall between World Suicide Prevention Day and World Mental Health Day (10 October). The campaign aims to promote positive mental health across the borough and signpost residents to the many services available to them.

Geraldine O’Carroll is the Senior Manager for Commissioning and Redesign at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG. She said: “Everyone goes through difficult times, but sometimes our problems affect our day-to-day lives and we may feel that we can’t cope. If you are in this situation, you’re not alone.

“I recommend contacting Access Sefton for confidential advice and treatment. They can offer appointments at a variety of locations including GP surgeries across Sefton; and can also offer telephone-based or computer-based therapy where appropriate. They will work with you to find an option that’s best for you.”

Access Sefton is available to anyone aged 16+ and registered with a Sefton GP. You can self-refer via the website www.insighthealthcare.org/accesssefton, by phone 0300 303 2708 or email CWP.AdminAccessSefton@nhs.net. You can also ask your GP to make a referral for you.

Ryan Forrest, Deputy Operations Manager at Access Sefton, added: “As well as anxiety, depression and stress, talking therapies are an effective treatment for other common mental health conditions, including phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic.”

As part of the Sefton in Mind campaign, Sefton Council wants to know which parts of Sefton have a positive influence on your mental health. The aim is to create a positive mental health map of Sefton, showing the places where people go to feel better and in turn help reduce the social isolation that can often be a symptom of depression.

To get involved and help create the map, tell us about your favourite place and tweet it along with a photograph to @SeftonCouncil or alternatively email to communications@sefton.gov.uk.