Getting More Help
The Living Life to the Full website aims to provide useful information and training content addressing a range of life skills. We hope the modules prove helpful and informative however please note that the site itself does not aim to provide treatment for mental health issues.
Additional web-based resources offered from the website include:
a). Informational links to other organisations/sources of information
b). A discussion forum so that members can offer hints, tips, encouragement and advice to each other.
Unfortunately, with often over 1,000,000 hits a month and many emails coming to the site team we hope you understand that we are unable to provide direct advice over the web or via email.
Sometimes additional help and support is needed from others such as health care practitioners. The following are replies to some Frequently asked Questions. We hope they prove helpful.
Q. I am seeking help for mental health difficulties for myself or a friend
A. We would suggest discussing any difficulties with your own doctor/GP. They may be able to recommend good local practitioners, and also it is always wise to keep them informed about any treatment decisions you make. If you find that you have high levels of distress/anxiety or depression then medication as well as psychological approaches can be a very helpful part of treatment. Your own doctor will be able to advise you on this.
Q. I/A friend am/is in need of Urgent help (e.g. for suicidal ideas/actions or because of feeling of not being able to cope any more)
A. Please click here to get more help
Q. I want to find out how to see a local Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) practitioner.
A. The first point of call should be your GP who will be aware of local resources. In addition, you can find a list of local CBT practitioners who are accredited with the lead body for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in the UK - the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. Their website has a Find a Therapist section - and this allows you to identify private practitioners who are accredited in CBT.
Please note that a range of other accrediting organisations also occur such as UKCP and the British Psychological Society who can advise on accredited practitioners in other psychotherapies.
We always advise discussing your needs with your General Practitioner, as they will be aware of local psychological and psychiatric services who might be able to offer an assessment.
Q. I want to order some other Five Areas resources
A. To obtain Five Areas resources such as books, credit cards, booklets of the DVD - please look at http://www.fiveareas.com/resourcearea. A list of resources and how to obtain them is also available byclicking this link.
Q. Can you advise any other information resources about CBT on the web?
A. BABCP has produced a series of excellent leaflets that describe what Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches are, and also summarise common mental health problems such as anxiety, panic, bipolar disorders, phobias and other conditions. They will hopefully help you to consider whether the CBT approach may be of interest to you. The leaflets are available free of charge for download at the web-site under the publications/leaflets section.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has reviewed the effectiveness of treatments for various mental health difficulties, and their reviews (including short advice to the public) are well worth looking at. For example, reviews are available for depression, anxiety, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Q. You said that the site does not provide treatment for mental health conditions - why then has my practitioner recommended it?
The site aims to provide useful information and resources that are based on a cognitive behavioural approach to learning. It covers many life skills that are useful for many people. Please note that the site is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment if this is what you need.
Q. Is the course known to be effective?
A. We are currently evaluating the course. We already know that:
1). The book based version of the course - when supported by 3-4 short support sessions from a practitioner was more helpful than usual treatment offered within primary care. People receiving the self-help workbook (Overcoming depression: a five areas approach) felt less down, were more active and felt a greater sense of well-being at 4 months - and were still significantly less down at 12 months. People liked using the workbooks with support more than the treatment usually offered.
2). The Living Life to the Full course aims to supplement and help users of the five areas books and booklets (http://www.fiveareas.com/ ) - however we know that using a self-help resources such as the written or online resource is far more likely to be effective when support is offered by a practitioner or other supporter - who can encourage you, and help you keep on track. From other research, the more CBT self-help materials you are able to work through and try out in your life - the more likely it is that you will find you learn something useful or that it helps how you are.
