Supported self-help: free mental health support

What is supported self-help?

Supported self-help can help reduce waiting times for mental health support.

It’s a guided self-help model based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), designed for adults who have mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety or low mood.

It can help with:

• anxiety and panic attacks
• coping with grief and loss
• loneliness and feeling lonely
• low self-esteem
• low mood and depression
• managing anger
• managing stress
• understanding menopause

How does it work?

Once signed up, a trained practitioner will provide an assessment and book a date and time for ongoing sessions. The client will have up to six one-to-one sessions with their practitioner. Face-to-face or virtually, they’ll work through one of the eight pathways, which include helpful tools and strategies in workbooks and self-management resources.

Does it work?

The service has a robust evidence base for its effectiveness, having been delivered to over 20,000 people across England, Wales and the Channel Islands from 2022-2025. Average client outcomes as measured on validated scales:

• 84% improved levels of depression (PHQ-9)
• 82% improved levels of anxiety (GAD-7)
• 78% improved levels of wellbeing (SWEMWBS)

What's in it for commissioners?

• This service is easily accessible, helping to combat local waitlists.
• Provides choice to clients and offers an alternative to prescriptions.
• Easy referral pathway where you can refer patients, or they can self-refer.
• Model can be tailored to suit specific needs e.g. children and young people.

Find out more:

Watch the videos below to find out more about Mind's guided self-help.