The people of Lanarkshire can take advantage of a free online stress control resource that provides advice and support and helps deal with anxiety and stress during these challenging times.
Stress Control is a six-session class developed in Scotland and now run around the world. It teaches Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) skills to help deal with common problems such as anxiety, depression, panicky feelings, poor sleep and poor wellbeing.
NHS Lanarkshire psychological services staff run free Stress Control classes across the 10 localities all-year round. However, the Covid-19 pandemic means these classes can’t be held at present.
So, because you can’t go to Stress Control, Stress Control is coming to you.
Dr Jim White, the creator of Stress Control, is running free online sessions beginning on Monday 13 April. Each session will be streamed twice a day – at 2pm, repeated at 8:30pm – on Mondays and Thursdays. All of these classes will be led by Dr White, a consultant clinical psychologist and world-renowned expert in common mental health problems.
Dr Simon Stuart, clinical psychologist with NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Stress Control has already benefited thousands of people across Lanarkshire. In these very challenging times, it’s more valuable than ever that people can continue to get access to this kind of high-quality intervention. Everyone will find something to benefit them from Dr White’s excellent idea.”
Dr Gary Tanner, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of psychological services, added: “With people currently unable to attend Stress Control groups in person, these virtual classes, streamed twice-weekly via YouTube across the UK, will help people find ways to manage stress, anxiety, and low mood. Each class is supported by a series of useful booklets.”
For more information go to http://stresscontrol.org, where you can learn more about the classes, find all the dates, and get the link to the YouTube channel where the sessions will be streaming. Each class runs for 90 minutes, with a 10-minute break in the middle, and there are six in total.
Stress Control online is likely to be a useful source of help, advice and support for everyone in Lanarkshire during these challenging times.