Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System has set up a ‘Feel Brighter’ campaign aiming to support elderly people within the community who are struggling with anxiety, low mood and loneliness.
Feel Brighter has launched as a means to encourage people aged 65 or over to reach out and access free NHS Talking Therapies as well as various other support services.
NHS Talking Therapies enable people to speak with an experienced mental health professional with the aim of better understanding their feelings and developing self-management tools to improve their wellbeing. The confidential sessions can be held over the phone, one-on-one or in a group setting depending on the individual’s needs.
The campaign also aims to support the family, friends and carers of an elderly person to look after their own mental health needs and access the free support available to them.
Dr Emma Tiffin, GP and clinical mental health lead at the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICS, said: “We know that older people can think feeling low or anxious is just part of the ageing process, but if you haven’t been feeling yourself don’t suffer in silence, there is a wide range of help and support available locally.
“We want our older population to enjoy life to the full, so if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health symptoms like anxiety, loneliness and low mood, do reach out because sometimes a professional listening ear is all it takes to turn things around.”
