Dawn Bowden MS, Welsh Labour’s Member of the Senedd for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney, has welcomed the announcement from the Welsh Labour Government that an additional £7.7m in funding has been confirmed to continue providing SilverCloud Wales – the free online mental health support tool for a further three years.
SilverCloud Wales is a free online therapy service designed to help people who experience mild to moderate anxiety, depression, or stress, manage their mental health and wellbeing.
Dawn Bowden MS said:
“I’m delighted that the Welsh Government is widening the services offered by SilverCloud. Mental Health affects us all in different ways, so it is vital that a range of resources are offered to support people.
“Using the SilverCloud service can be a great benefit to you if you have low level mental health needs – the service is available 24/7 and you don’t need a GP referral to access it.
“If you need immediate help in managing your mental health and wellbeing, you can access the SilverCloud service here https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/”
Following an all-Wales pilot scheme launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the service has helped people access online mental health support. As we move out of the pandemic the additional funding will expand the service and will offer access to digital therapy for young people aged 11 and over. It will also provide perinatal support.
During the pilot over 23,000 people have accessed SilverCloud’s mental health programmes and 64% of people reported a positive outcome following self-referral.
As well as being an online self-help service, SilverCloud Wales is backed up and supported by a team of psychologists and online cognitive behavioural therapy co-ordinators. It has the benefits of both being an ‘access from home’ service as well as professionally led one.
Feedback received by the Welsh Government has shown that people felt SilverCloud really helped them through a time where they needed a bit of support.
The work will be overseen by Powys Teaching Health Board.