Uckfield Matters Magazine Feb 2018

wellbeingmatters
Time
By Michelle Pierce
to
TALK
We all have times when there’s nothing we need more than to sit down
with a friend or loved one and have a cup of tea and a good chat.
Modern life is challenging
at the best of times, and
sometimes it does not
take much for every-day
stresses to tip the apple
cart, leaving us feeling
anxious, alone or even
depressed.
Even those who are
fortunate enough to have
a regular counsel within
their circle of family or
friends may feel that
the problems they are
experiencing go beyond
the scope of the kitchen
table or the bar-stool.
Relationship issues can
be testing when the very
person we might expect to
turn to for support is part
of the problem itself.
Many people’s first port
of call is the NHS, so if
you think you need some
time to talk, contact your
GP to find out what is on
offer. Initially you may
be offered computerised
cognitive behavioural
therapy (CCBT), followed
by face-to-face CBT
sessions. If you prefer not
to go through a GP, Health
in Mind is an NHS selfreferral
service - www.
healthinmind.org.uk/
There are charities which
support specific issues:
Relate (relationships),
Cruse (bereavement) and
Mind (mental health), and
many offer a sliding scale
of fees. Some employers
and schools, colleges and
universities provide free
therapy, so ask what is on
offer.
Cognitive and
behavioural therapies
(CBT) - based on the
way we think and the
way we behave. These
therapies recognise that
it is possible to change
or recondition our
thoughts and behaviour
to overcome specific
problems.
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