NHS launches online mental health checker
NHS Direct today launches its first online mental heath checker after a rise in the number of people telephoning for help with depression and anxiety.
The symptom checker is aimed at victims of the credit crunch, as well as people going through stressful periods in their life.
It means people can seek help without having to speak to a doctor or nurse.
More than 37,500 people telephoned NHS Direct in the first six months of this year complaining of mental health problems. Of those, more than 5,000 were from London.
The most common problems were people with thoughts of suicide, depression and people who had taken an overdose.
The figure was a 5,000 rise on the previous year, when 32,500 people called for help.
Jacqui Jedrzejewski, from NHS Direct, said: "Job insecurity and worries about the financial climate are very real in London. Anxiety and stress may affect people for the first time if they are dealing with a particularly difficult period." She said the service offered advice such as onward referral.
The online health check works by asking a series of questions such as whether the patient is feeling lonely, confused or hopeless.
Depending on their answers they will be advised to call 999, visit a GP or speak to an NHS Direct nurse.
Mrs Jedrzejewski said it was hoped the online resource could break the stigma often associated with mental illness. She said: "Mental health worries are more common in stressful periods of life and can be triggered from something like a job loss.
"However, for some it's a long-term battle that can be hidden away for fear of stigma and discrimination. We want to reduce the stigma and enable more people to evaluate their well-being.
"The mental health checker provides an approachable channel for people to address their problems. The aim is to get people on the right track so that they can get ongoing support."
The NHS Direct website also offers advice on flu, male sexual health and contraception. The health checker is available at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
