Information on IAPT and Rightsteps
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) is a UK initiative which aims to increase the provision of evidence based talking treatments for common mental health problems like anxiety and depression by primary care organisations. This initiative also aims to increase investment in training, in order to expand the mental health professional workforce and available services.
The IAPT initiative is the result of economic evaluations by Professor Lord Richard Layard and it aims to improve the mental wellbeing of people who may be receiving sick pay and sickness benefits. With the aim that once recovered, they can return to work.
Turning Point Rightsteps - A new model for psychological wellbeing services
Turning Point is the country’s leading health and social care organisation and provides mental health, employment, learning disability and substance misuse services. It has been operating for over 40 years, and working in mental health since 1984. Turning Point understands people have complex needs and problems are often interlinked.
Turning Point understands that feeling well is much more than not being ill. Emotional health and wellbeing is important because it can impact on areas of family, social and work life, as well as physical health.
Turning Point is one of the largest non-statutory providers of IAPT (Improved Access to Psychological Therapies).
Rightsteps is Turning Point’s flagship IAPT service that offers new ways of delivering a more complete approach to psychological wellbeing. Turning Point’s experience shows that sufferers of common mental illness like anxiety, depression and phobias are best treated holistically so their whole needs are met. For most, this is far and away the best possible route to successful recovery.
Rightsteps employs wellbeing coordinators who provide each individual with a personal support plan by assessing their psychological, physical and social needs.
Turning Point is working with PCTs to offer more flexible interventions, such as initial assessment over the telephone and out of hours support. Rightsteps is designed to be delivered in close collaboration with Mental and Community Health Trusts, support agencies, local voluntary organisations and service users.
Rightsteps staff work within the local area to raise awareness of mental health issues and de-stigmatise mental health treatment. As part of its Rightsteps service, Turning Point can also direct people into training and employment schemes or substance misuse support if needed.
Rightsteps helps to prevent expensive specialist input but also prevents further deterioration in an individual’s mental well-being.
For further information, please visit the main Rightsteps page.
Turning Point statistics*
Turning Point is currently supporting over 2,000 people who have a diagnosed mental health problem. 400 of these are receiving support from a mental health service.
There are 1617 people receiving support for a problem with substance misuse and have a diagnosed mental health problem. In addition there are a further 244 people who have registered concerns over their mental wellbeing (depression and anxiety).
In the last 12 months, over 6,000 people have registered with Turning Point’s RightSteps services.
These statistics are based on the number of cases that are currently ‘open’ or ‘active through the MAXIMS clinical information system.