Happy, healthy relationships are fundamental to our health and wellbeing and are the focus of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (16-22 May). Your local talking therapies service can help you if you would like to speak to someone.

If you’re concerned about your mental health, speak to your local, friendly NHS service for advice and support.

Access Sefton, provided in partnership by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Insight Healthcare, provides help for people with relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression and stress, as well as other mental health conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.

The Mental Health Foundation reports that good relationships help us live longer and happier lives with fewer mental health problems. Investing in these relationships is as critical to our health and wellbeing as other lifestyle factors such as eating well, exercising more and stopping smoking.

Access Sefton service lead, Amanda Hampton, says, “Connecting with people is an important part of everyone’s life, and has been identified as one of the key five ways to wellbeing. However, you may feel that anxiety, depression and stress prevent you from developing positive relationships.

“We offer a range of evidence-based face-to-face treatments as well as telephone-based therapy and new group sessions held at a range of locations in Southport and Bootle.”

Anyone aged of 16 and over living in Sefton can tap into this useful local service. If you need to speak to someone, getting access to the service is easy – ask your GP or self-refer online at www.insighthealthcare.org/accesssefton. You can also pick up the phone and call 0151 955 3200 to arrange an initial appointment.

For more information about CWP please visit www.cwp.nhs.uk