‘Depression’ at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life, Page 7

The Mental Health Foundation has welcomed the UK Department of Health’s announcement that it will make computer-based cognitive behavioural therapy available to patients with common mental health problems such as anxiety or mild to moderate depression.

Echoing the experience of researchers involved in other types of distance therapies, such as online therapy, a new study indicates that people receiving brief telephone-based psychotherapy soon after starting on antidepressant medication experienced strongly positive effects up to 18 months after their first session.

Not enough is known about the potential dangers associated with antidepressant medications, according to the UK’s Mental Health Foundation. The group has responded to the controversy about the GlaxoSmithKline Seroxat case covered in an expose by the Panorama programme.

With the clocks going back an hour on Sunday 29 October, the Mental Health Foundation is encouraging people to eat healthily and exercise regularly to ward off the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Every year, 1 in 50 people in the UK suffers from SAD, although many do not realise it.

From the 1st November to 3rd January, visitors to the Mental Health Foundation’s website will be able to get free access to Depression Relief — an online self-help program that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques.