People are three times more likely to experience depression and anxiety symptoms if they have a long-term health condition.

Steps2wellbeing offers treatment options for patients who experience depression and anxiety symptoms and are also living with a long term health condition.

We provide mental wellbeing support in Dorset and Southampton City for people living with:

• Diabetes

• Lung condition

• Heart conditions, stroke, and TIA (transient ischaemic attack)

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Chronic pain

• Long covid

• IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and other stomach problems

• Other Medically Unexplained Symptoms

• Persistent Physical Symptoms

We can also provide mental wellbeing support if you are struggling with ongoing physical symptoms that bother you.

How can Steps2Wellbeing help me with a long-term health condition?

We understand that living with a long-term condition or ongoing physical symptoms can make you more likely to experience poor mental wellbeing.

You may feel frustrated or angry and ask yourself why this has happened to you. You might also feel sad about not being able to do the things you used to or have given up hope that things will improve.

Feeling angry, anxious, down, or hopeless can make it feel more difficult to cope with your physical symptoms. You might find yourself slipping into unhelpful habits and ways of thinking that make you feel worse.

What is anxiety and depression?

You may not realise that you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and have questions like

• What is anxiety?

• What are the physical symptoms of anxiety?

• Am I depressed?

• What’s the difference between feeling depressed, feeling low, or feeling sad?

You can use this NHS tool to find out if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, click here.

What treatment does Steps2Wellbeing offer for long term health conditions?

Steps2Wellbeing uses CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which looks at the way our thoughts, feelings and behaviour affect each other.

Our therapists will work with you to explore what changes you could make that would help you to cope and feel better.

How do I get in touch with Steps2Wellbeing?

Help with your mental health when you have a long-term condition is available to people whether they have been referred, or have referred themselves, to Steps2Wellbeing.

To complete a self-referral click here to complete the online form, or click on the Referral Assistant in the bottom right-hand corner of this screen.