Frequently asked Q's

• Why is this information important?

  This page gives you information on approved and trustworthy online therapy and mental health tools. 

  Digital tools generally are becoming more important. That’s also the case in mental health support and treatment. 

  Digital tools could be helpful in supporting your mental health if:

  • You are finding it hard to get in person support. There might be long wait times for NHS support, limited services, or you might find travel difficult or expensive.
  • You need help that’s easy to use and fits around work, health, or caring for someone.
  • You want self‑help tools for tracking mood, habits, or symptoms between appointments.
  • You prefer private, stigma‑free support you can use at home.
  • Because of your symptoms you find it difficult to leave the home or go to certain places.

  This page gives you information on approved or trustworthy online therapy or support tools and options. 

• Should I use AI chatbots more for mental health support?

  Many people now use AI chatbots for mental health support. But there can be risks and problem using them. 

  Our charity partner, Mental Health UK, have published advice and information on artificial intelligence and mental health.  It covers the benefits and risks of using AI chatbots for general mental health support, and how to use them safely. We advise you to read that information before using an AI chatbot for mental health support.

  In addition to that piece, we will soon be publishing information on Are AI chatbots linked to psychosis and delusions? Risks, symptoms, and safe use. It covers how AI use can be linked to symptoms of psychosis, like delusions. And how best to get support if you are:

  • experiencing psychosis,
  • have experienced psychosis in the past,
  • worried you might develop symptoms of psychosis, or
  • having thoughts about self-harm or suicide.
• How do I download an app on my device?

  Some of the resources on this page are website based. But for others you need to download an app on your device.

  For clear information on how to download an app to your device please see this content by Age UK.

• Online resources that help you to manage your mental health

  The following online resources and apps give information and tools to help you manage your mental health. Some people find them very useful.

  • Wysa. Wysa is an app that lets you chat with a friendly AI chatbot to help with stress, anxiety, or low mood. It offers simple self help tools like breathing, journaling, and CBT based activities, all anonymous and available anytime. There is a free version and paid for premium one too. Wysa is used by the NHS, so should be trustworthy and reliable.
  • Mindler. One-to-one typed cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a therapist. It is for mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety and low mood. Free and available to many NHS patients across the UK. In some areas you can self-refer directly. In others, you need to speak to your GP to make a referral.
  • Mind app library. Mental health apps you can trust, accredited by the charity Mind. Mind say every app in the library has been independently reviewed by experts. And they meet their high standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality.
  • NHS Every Mind Matters. Simple and practical online information and tools to ease anxiety, manage stress, lift your mood and sleep better.
  • Living life to the Full. Free CBT-based online resources to tackle low mood, anxiety and life’s challenges.  All resources are written by accredited CBT practitioners with expertise in education and training. They aim to communicate key information using straightforward, everyday language.
  • NHS self-help guides. Self-help guides covering a wide range of topics such as depression, anxiety and stress. They offer users the opportunity to find out more about the causes of mental health issues. They provide tools to work through feelings and emotions.
  • Mindfulness resource – From NHS Every Mind Matters. Mindfulness is about living more in the present moment, appreciating the here and now.  Includes information, tips, and techniques on mindfulness.
  • Mindful breathing exercise video – From NHS Every Mind Matters. This mindful breathing exercise video tries to help you to feel calmer and more present. 

  See our webpages for more information on the following things:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Stress – How to manage it: Causes, symptoms, and support options
  • Depression
  • How can I improve my sleep?
  • GPs and your mental health
• Can I get online talking therapy?

  Most local NHS talking therapies services offer online options, including video, phone, and online courses. They also offer face to face support. 

  You can also get private talking therapy online.

  For more information see our webpage on Talking therapies.

• The NHS app

  The NHS app gives you an easy and secure way to access a range of NHS services. 

  Through the app you can do things like:

  • Order repeat prescriptions
  • Book and manage appointments
  • View your GP medical records
  • Use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get advice
  • Find NHS services or medical help near you

  If you are a carer for someone, you might be able to apply to add them to your NHS app. You can then easily manage some things for that person. 

  For more information see our webpage on Using the NHS app - A guide for you and your carer

• Online GP services

  All GP practices in England should:

  • have an up-to-date website,]
  • offer all patients online access to their GP medical record,
  • allow you to book appointments online, and
  • offer video appointments, where appropriate.

  See our webpage for more information on GPs and your mental health.

• Help for self-harm and suicide

  distrACT 

  • If you experience thoughts of or self harm or suicide, you might find the distrACT app helpful.
  • It is free and gives calm, trusted guidance. It explains what’s happening, offers safe self help ideas, and shows where to get support. All privately and in one place.
  • The app is accredited by the Patient Information Forum, so it is trustworthy and reliable.

  The Stay Alive App

  Stay Alive is an award-winning suicide prevention app full of tools and resources to help people stay safe from suicide.

   

  See our following webpages for more information on how to deal with thoughts of self-harm and suicide:

  • How do I manage thoughts of self-harm?
  • How do I manage thoughts of suicide?

  If you need urgent support for your mental health see our Get help now hub.

• Help for anxiety

  The following digital therapy for general anxiety disorder are available on the NHS. You can ask your GP about them. You might need to try other treatments before you are allowed to access these therapies. 

  • Digital individual non-facilitated self-help. You are supported by a trained professional to work through a digital programme. It is based on cognitive behavioural therapy principles. The programme lasts at least 6 weeks.  
  • Digital individual guided self-help. You should:  
    • get support to use a digital programme, either face-to-face or over the phone, and
    • be supported by a trained professional, who delivers the self-help programme. And reviews progress and outcomes.

  The NHS are currently testing 5 new forms of digital therapy. They are testing how effective they are clinically, and whether they are value for money. You will only be offered these if the NHS meet certain guidelines. The therapies are:  

  • iCT PTSD (OxCADAT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • iCT SAD (OxCADAT) for social anxiety disorder
  • Space from Anxiety (SilverCloud) for generalised anxiety symptoms or unspecified anxiety disorder.
  • Perspectives (Koa Health) for body dysmorphic disorder 
    Spring (Cardiff University) for PTSD.

  Your local NHS talking therapy service might offer you these therapies, if appropriate.  

  On our webpages you can read more about: 

  • Anxiety disorders 
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Help for depression

  What is guided self-help and digital therapy? 

  With guided self-help you think about how your thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviour all affect each other. It gives coping skills for how to manage areas of your life. 

  You will work through digital resources alone. But you will have regular support from a practitioner. Support can be delivered in person, by phone, or online. 

  Your treatment will be made up of:

  • cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT),
  • structured behavioural activation,
  • problem solving, or
  • psychoeducation. 

  Are there other types of NHS digital therapy for depression?

  The NHS are currently testing some newer types of digital therapy for depression. They are testing how effective they are clinically, and whether they are value for money. You will only be offered these if the NHS meet certain guidelines. 

  See our webpage for more advice and information on Depression.

• Help for eating disorders

  The Eating Disorder Support App (UK) from Expert Self Care is a free digital self-care support if you are:

  • affected by eating disorders, or
  • support someone who is. 

  The app gives you clear, evidence-informed guidance tailored to your needs.  It supports safe self-care, seeking help, and a sense of not being alone.

  On our webpage you can get more information on Eating disorders.

• Online peer support groups

  Peer support groups are where people who have been through similar things come together to help each other out. Being part of one can help you feel less alone, more understood, and give you hope that things can get better.

  There are these online peer support services:

  • Side by Side
  • Mentell for men who are 18 or over
  • Together All
• Help to improve sleep

  The following apps and websites aim to help you improve sleep:

  • Sleepio. This is a 6-week clinically proven programme used to treat insomnia.  It is available for free on the NHS. You can access it from the website.
  • Sleepstation. This online course will guide you through a scientifically proven solution and give you the knowledge, tools and confidence to control your sleep. Free on the NHS in some areas. Check to see if Sleepstation is free on the NHS for you
  • Pzizz.  Pzizz is an app to help you fall asleep fast, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Pzizz is free to download and offers access to "Classic Pzizz" content and features at no charge. To gain full access to all Pzizz content and features, you will need to purchase Pzizz Pro.

  See our webpage for more information on How can I improve my sleep?

• Help for psychosis

  Some new digital therapies have been developed for treatment of psychosis.  They have been approved for use by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) while they are still being tested.  

  A medical professional would need to refer you for these therapies.

  They include:

  • AVATAR Therapy. For managing hearing voices
  • SlowMo. For managing distressing thoughts or paranoia
  • CareLoop. For monitoring symptoms of psychosis to prevent relapse.

  For more information see our webpage on Psychosis.

• What is NHS online?

  From 2027, NHS Online will give you the option to receive planned care through the NHS App.

  It will connect you with specialist clinicians across the country. It will help you get care sooner without always needing to travel.

  Using NHS Online will be optional. You should still be able to choose face-to-face appointments.

  When it is the right option for your care, you will be able to use the service to:

  • have online appointments,
  • get advice on managing your condition,
  • get digital prescriptions for use at local pharmacies, and
  • book tests, treatments and procedures through the NHS App at locations close to you.
• Can I get cheaper broadband if I claim welfare benefits?

  Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages. They are for people claiming universal credit, pension credit, and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.

  They work in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. 

  Ofcom encourages companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes. Ofcom is the communications regulator in the UK.

  You can get more information on Ofcom’s website, including how to apply for a social tariff.

  You can also use Fasterbroadband's website to compare and apply for broadband social tariff deals. 

• Is this information accessible?
  • There is an accessibility function on this webpage called Recite.
  • On the desktop site, click on the icon in the top right-hand corner next to ‘Donate.’
  • On the mobile site, scroll right and click on the ‘Turn on accessibility’ icon.

  The Recite function allows you to:

  • translate the text into many different languages,
  • hear the text read aloud, in over 100 languages,
  • change the type and size of font, and
  • change the line height and character spacing,
    change the background colour of the text.

  For more information, you can watch this 2 minute video about How to use the Recite accessibility function.