Every reader of this column has either personal experience of depression or is close to someone who has experienced more than just the everyday “blues”. Some 10 per cent of the population – which in Ireland equates to more than 450,000 people – experiences clinical depression at any one time.
With such high numbers, it means there is an ongoing demand for treatment. One of the best treatment modalities for mild to moderate depression is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you challenge negative thoughts, helps you develop new ways of relating to others, allows you recognise your vulnerabilities and helps to reduce stress in your life.
CBT also helps the person to make practical changes in their lives, which can help improve how they feel and also reduce some of the symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.
Limited provision of therapists
Usually given as one-to-one therapy by a qualified clinical psychologist, the State has struggled to provide enough qualified therapists to meet the demand, especially for those who avail of public health services.
So a decision by Aware, the advocacy group for people with depression and anxiety, to make CBT available at a community level is hugely helpful. Thanks to funding from some 15,000 Tesco staff, it has put in place a programme called Life Skills , based on the work of Dr Chris Williams, professor of psychosocial psychiatry and a consultant psychiatrist at Glasgow University.
The programme is aimed at individuals experiencing mild to moderate depression, stress and/or anxiety and who can commit to attending one session per week for six weeks. Resourced by trained contractors, groups of 20-25 people work together in a low-intensity model learning how to use CBT in their lives.
A groundbreaking study published by Williams, based on his Scottish experience with a similar programme, has produced impressive results: when formally assessed some 60 per cent of those who attended the six weekly sessions had moved from having moderate to severe depression to a score indicating their symptoms were now mild.
“This study demonstrated that these classes delivered within a community setting are effective in terms of impact on mood, cost effective and also acceptable in the management of depression and anxiety,” Williams said. “The community-based recruitment methods used may also provide an alternative route of help for those who, for whatever reason, are not engaging with the health service.”
Findings welcomed
Dr Claire Hayes, clinical director with Aware, welcomed the findings, which add to results from independent evaluations already conducted by Aware on a number of phases of the
Life Skills
programme in Ireland.
“From May, 2012, to December 2013, 2,125 people across Ireland completed the six-week programme and we saw some very encouraging results.
“In phase two [delivered in February 2013] there was a 31 per cent increase in the number of people who reported having no feelings of depression (when assessed) at the end of the programme.
“Some 20 per cent of participants reported having ‘severe’ anxiety in session one, with no one reporting this after they had completed the final, sixth session,” she added.
A marvellous initiative, if you answer yes to the following questions, you are likely to benefit from
Life Skills
.
I am currently affected by mild to moderate depression or anxiety.
I would like to make some changes in my life and am prepared to try new ways of dealing with life’s challenges.
I am not currently experiencing a major life event such as a recent bereavement, major relationship problem or a significant trauma.
I can commit to attending all six sessions of the programme.
I have basic reading skills.
I feel quite comfortable in a group setting.
I feel I can concentrate and give my attention for the duration of each session of about 90 minutes.
The next phase of enrolment is in March – you will find application and location details at aware.ie.
mhouston@irishtimes.com
muirishouston.com