Shining a Light in the Darkness

Improving services for people with chronic depression

Overview of the Project

1 in 4 people have a mental health problem The most common mental health problem is depression 1 in 5 people with depression will develop chronic depression Chronic depression is under diagnosed and often remains untreated Adults with chronic depression are amongst the highest users of medical services and often treatment resistant Raising the profile of an empirically tested and evidence based psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), goes some way to address the current gap in services for this cohort of patients and Shining a Light in their darkness.

Tide The NHS and the systems within it have their own rythyms, like tides in an ocean. Sensing the power of the wave and using its energy to land your goal, is a challenge but also a real thrill when achieved. The Fellowship has taught me how to do this.

Results
Exerts from Local Press Releases Doncaster leads the way with psychotherapy for chronic depression One of the worlds leading authorities in the treatment of chronic depression is coming to Doncaster to train NHS therapists from across the region. Doncaster patients are some of the first to receive CBASP through the NHS thanks to the organiser Carole Hirst, director of psychological therapies for RDaSH. Carole is developing services for people suffering from chronic depression after being awarded an NHS Clinical Leaders Fellowship. A conference in September is planned, hosted by RDaSH, where the new CBASP UK network will be launched.

Leadership Challenges
Time and Tide Time NHS clinicians who take on the challenge of leadership need to balance this with their clinical commitments and other organisational responsibilities. Time has to be stretched like one of Salvador Dalis clocks. The Fellowship made this possible.

Contact Information Carole Hirst Director of Psychological Therapies carole.hirst@rdash.nhs.uk 01302 821432