People should be central to their care in IAPT services and their experiences are vital to informing the on-going development and improvement of these services.
People's stories can be the most powerful way of describing the huge impact that an IAPT service can have on someone's life. People who have been anxious or depressed can start to feel well again and recover to a better quality of life.
Here are some stories that illustrate that.
If you would like to add to these stories please contact send them by e-mail to iapt@dh.gsi.gov.uk
1) IAPT ADVISORY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN CHESHIRE PRIMARY CARE TRUST
This service has supported people from different backgrounds and work experiences to gain employment or to begin a work programme to promote confidence to re-enter the job market.
These stories are some examples of the creative way this service has helped people back to the workplace.
Read about the impact this service has had for Tom, Stacey, Michael and Dave.
2) Employment Support Case Studies
Mo's Story....
Mo was referred to the IAPT services having been signed off with stress related illness for 5/6 weeks. When in work Mo expressed that he had been victim to racial bullying by colleagues. He felt unsupported by his line manager and human resources. As a result of the stress at work the client presented himself as highly agitated, with disturbed sleep, obsessive thinking and isolation. In addition to this the client was experiencing financial difficulties as a result of being on statutory sick pay.
A variety of workplace solutions were agreed and Mo agreed a phased return to work. The IAPT employment advisor spoke with Mo's union representative and employer to design a phased return to work Mo returned to work feeling much happier and is working full time hours. The employment advisor continues to support Mo to deal with matters as they arise but contact is being reduced to encourage client to deal with matters independently.
Mo's employer has also shown an interest in using the IAPT employment advisor to help address high sickness levels and the union representative also links regularly with the IAPT Employment Advisor on other cases.
Mary's Story...
Mary has been an adult education teacher and course co-ordinator for five years and was signed off work with stress, anxiety and depression. Mary puts her problems down to an increasing and unrealistic workload.
Mary began seeing an IAPT therapist and felt a gradual improvement in her mental health and ability to manage stress, however she was still highly anxious about the thought of returning to work and experiencing a further deterioration of her mental health. She was referred to the IAPT employment service, Job Retention Service run by Jobs In Mind, after being off work for five months.
The Advisor worked with Mary to focus on her current role and explore what she found particularly difficult and what changes or adjustments she would find helpful. The advisor approached Mary's employers and set up meetings to discuss the possibility of Mary returning to work. The advisor worked with Mary and encouraged her to advocate on her own behalf. The employers were very interested in the client's feedback and showed commitment to making whatever adaptations were possible. An agreement was reached whereby Mary returned to work part-time and she had a longer period in which to undertake some necessary training, eventually resume some but not all of her teaching duties. Two months after returning to work, Mary continues to speak to her IAPT employment advisor by telephone and is pleased that she was able to return to work without being re-deployed in to a junior position.
QUOTES
‘The marvellous, miraculous way that John came into my life and I feel like she saved me!' (person using IAPT services)
‘From my point of view, it is nice to see people beat it! She has beat it which is great!' ( husband of person using services)
‘She has grown from strength to strength just with a five minute phone call every day.' (service provider)