People in South Wales can now access free online mental health therapy through a new referral system set up in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB).
For the first time, CTMUHB’s Local Primary and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services can refer clients to a suite of guided, online self-help programmes based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
CTMUHB – serving Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf - is the third health board to gain direct referral access to the service, with teams at Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) and Aneurin Bevan already referring.
Anyone in Wales aged 16+ can already self-refer to the service for free without seeing a GP or joining waiting lists.
Support through the programmes is provided for 12 weeks, but service users can set their own pace and access material and exercises even after completing courses. Progress is monitored by trained practitioners, who provide fortnightly feedback and can escalate more serious cases to access further support.
30,000 people have received support from the service – funded by the Welsh government - since it piloted in Powys in 2018.
If you’re under the care of CTMUHB’s Local Primary or Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, discuss a referral with your therapist.
Learn more about SilverCloud at: https://pthb.nhs.wales/services/adult-and-older-peoples-mental-health-services/silvercloud-online-mental-health-support/
To sign up via self-referral, visit: https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/
