HELP IS at hand for those suffering with anxiety and depression after NHS Talking Therapies launched its chatbot and Everyday Mental Health app to improve access to services.
Bosses at NHS Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Talking Therapies say these new services aim to improve the experience of people who access their service and provide immediate support for those with mild to severe symptoms.
The Talking Therapies website now accepts referrals via its new chatbot feature.
The chatbot takes the individual through a conversation and some short exercises and automatically populates the individual’s patient record, reducing the need to repeat the information to multiple clinicians.
Upon completion of the referral, the patient is then prompted to download the Everyday Mental Health (EMH) app.
The EMH app links to the chatbot and offers immediate, personalised support to the individual by creating conversations, offering customisable check-in times and weekly reports, while they are waiting to be assessed by a clinician following the chatbot referral.
The app also allows the patient to track their progress and engage with mental health support without fear of judgement.
Referred to as an “emotionally intelligent” app, EMH is said to detect immediate risk and provides personalised support, ensuring people receive the appropriate care and access.
Sonya Gardiner, chief operating officer NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust said: “It is our goal to enable clinicians’ to dedicate more time to patient care. the adoption of this new technology helps to achieve this by providing a summary of key information for clinicians to review before initial triage appointments.
“This innovative approach will ensure those in need of mental health support will be able to rapidly access the most appropriate support for their needs, from their phone or PC.
“By adding the new chatbot and EMH app to its list of offerings, Talking Therapies is enhancing its digital support provision and helping people to improve the emotional resilience of those we support.”
