Digital depression therapy given the greenlight in England

In correlation with Mental health Awareness Week nine new online talking-therapy treatments for anxiety and/or depression are set to be used by NHS England.  

According to figures from the NHS, one out of every six people in England say they experience a mental health problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week.

In addition, figures obtained from 2021-2022, show more than half a million people were referred to depression and anxiety services – known as NHS Talking Therapies – for problems such as panic disorder, OCD, PTSD and a various number of phobias.

Due to such high demand NHS England will now be granted permission to use online talking-therapy treatments to help with the mental health disorders. The new digital treatments will be delivered via a website or an app and use cognitive-behavioural therapy – a method that teaches coping skills through focusing on how thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect feelings and actions.

The National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence (NICE) claims the therapies could free up resources and help reduce the wait times for care. Whilst some of the digital therapies are already in use, others require further approvals before being able to be rolled out. NICE have said they will look at evidence from the therapies over the next few years to work out how cost effective they are.

Guidance recommends six therapies should be designed to help adults with anxiety disorders and three to assist those with depression.

When the treatment is launched in England, people who wish to access it will have to undergo a formal assessment with a trained clinician or practitioner.

After this the treatment will include:

• During online depression therapy, 90 minutes will be spent with a therapist instead of eight hours during standard care
• Online anxiety therapy gives four hours with a clinician, as opposed to 10 hours under normal care

Dr David Rigby, Co-Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ digital group, said: ‘Mental health services are struggling with chronic staff shortages which are making it difficult for them to provide patients with quick and effective treatment.

‘The government must tackle the workforce crisis by honouring its commitment to publish a comprehensive NHS workforce plan this year.’

As well as Dr Rigby flagging up his concerns, mental health charity Sane has said the new online therapy services are no substitute for a one-to-one relationship and could potentially leave people feeling even more isolated than before.

Mental Health Awareness week began at the beginning of this week and is due to end on Sunday 21^st May. This year’s theme is anxiety and the campaign is focused on increasing people’s awareness and understanding of the disorder by providing information on things that can prevent it from becoming a problem.

Alongside this, the Mental Health Foundation – the organisation behind the awareness week – have said they will also continue to keep up the pressure to demand change, making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for society.

Image: Chris Montgomery