Cardiff, Wales — NHS Wales has launched a new initiative aimed at addressing the mental health consequences of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, partnering with foodbanks across Wales to promote accessible mental health support.
The initiative involves the promotion of SilverCloud® Wales, an online self-help platform offering support based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The service, which is provided free by NHS Wales, is being introduced at foodbanks in key Welsh towns and cities to reach individuals facing financial hardship.
SilverCloud offers a range of programmes designed to help individuals manage anxiety, depression, stress, and money-related worries, with the goal of providing timely, preventative mental health support.
Fionnuala Clayton, NHS Wales’ online CBT project manager, explained that financial hardship is a significant contributor to poor mental health. “Financial hardship is a key driver of mental health issues, which can, in turn, impact an individual’s ability to earn or manage money,” she said. “It’s crucial that we break this cycle by offering preventative support like SilverCloud, which provides practical tools to help people reframe negative thoughts and turn them into positive action.”
The Link Between Financial Stress and Mental Health
Research from the Mental Health Foundation and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute highlights the close link between financial difficulty and mental health struggles. According to these studies, people facing financial insecurity are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
The partnership with foodbanks comes at a time when food poverty is on the rise in Wales. Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest foodbank network, reports that hunger and hardship are at record levels in the country, with more individuals turning to foodbanks for support.
Cleide Correia, manager of Merthyr Cynon Foodbank, shared her concerns about the growing intersection between poverty and mental health. “The connection between poverty and mental health is glaringly obvious to us,” Correia said. “The cost-of-living crisis means we’re seeing more and more people struggling with mental health issues simply because they don’t have the money to cover basic essentials.”
Free Access to Mental Health Support
The SilverCloud programme is open to anyone in Wales aged 16 or over and can be accessed without the need to visit a GP or join long waiting lists. Those in need of support can self-refer to the service free of charge.
Participants are guided through programmes that typically take around 12 weeks to complete. Each session requires a commitment of just 15 minutes a day, three to four times per week, making it a flexible and accessible option for those struggling with their mental health.
The collaboration between NHS Wales and foodbanks aims to tackle the root causes of mental health issues associated with the financial stress many people are facing in the wake of rising living costs. By providing accessible and immediate support, the initiative hopes to alleviate some of the mental health burdens brought on by economic hardship, offering people the tools they need to cope and thrive despite financial challenges.
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