Web and phone

There’s a lot of information and support online. Sites like ours offer information and a friendly community where you can meet other people who feel like you. Or you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

A lot of people with depression and anxiety withdraw from their regular social activities and end up feeling isolated. The Internet can offer a bit of contact with other people so that you’re taking positive steps without pushing yourself too far or too fast.

Follow a few simple rules to stay safe online and you can get a lot from your online life.

Computerised self-help

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) using a computer is an effective way of treating depression.  The computer programme will guide you through the therapy, like a therapist would in a face-to-face session. 

We offer a computer based self-help course with telephone support from a self-help coach called Living Life to the Full Interactive.  The service is free to people living in Scotland.

There are more online self-help sites listed on the right.  Your GP may also be able to refer you for computer based CBT.

Telephone and email helplines are really useful if you want to talk to someone about your specific situation but you aren’t ready to either see your doctor or talk to someone you know.

A lot of email and telephone services will have limited hours, but there are some 24-hour crisis lines and services which operate at night so, when there isn’t anyone else to turn to, these helplines are there to listen and to talk. There is a list of helplines in the box on the right.

It can be really difficult to pick up the phone or send that email, but the people who work on these lines are trained to give confidential support and can give you details of other services if you need it. They won’t judge. They are there to listen.