“The stigma of mental illness made it difficult for many with long term conditions to reveal the true extent of their emotional distress and have the confidence to seek appropriate help.”
as shown in: The Living Better Project: Key Research Findings
A significant factor in the explanation for poorer clinical outcomes is that co-morbid psychological problems can reduce a person’s ability to actively manage their own physical cardiac condition. For example, problems such as depression are associated with unhealthy behaviours known to be risk factors for the development and exacerbation of cardiac disease, such as smoking and alcohol use. Self-management is at the core of effective treatment for long-term conditions. The Scottish Government has put self-management at the centre of the policy for the approach to long term conditions (Self-Management Strategy for Long-term Conditions in Scotland 2008).
There are a number of useful resources available to help patients self-manage their mental health:
- Moodjuice
- Living Life to the Full
- NHS inform: Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Breathing Space: Open up when you’re feeling down
- CHSS: Coping with depression and feeling down
- CHSS: Coping with stress and anxiety
There are also a number of useful websites for carers:
Page last reviewed: 24 Sep 2020
