Living Life

Feeling down, depressed or anxious are common problems. Some people recover in a few weeks on their own while others need more specialist help and support.
And that’s where NHS Living Life comes in.

NHS Living Life is a telephone counselling service based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach. The service is available to anyone over the age of 16 suffering low mood, mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety.

NHS Living Life can be accessed either by GP referral or by phoning the number directly on 0800 328 9655. The phone line is open Mon-Fri 1pm to 9pm, calls are free and confidential.

Callers are asked to provide some details and then arrangements are made to receive an assessment appointment to discuss the service and how help can be provided.

NHS Living Life offers two types of telephone intervention and support:

• Living Life Guided Self Help (CBT with a self-help coach, available throughout Scotland)
• Living Life Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT with a therapist, only available in certain health boards*)

Living Life Guided Self Help

Following a successful three-year pilot project, and with support from the Scottish Government, NHS Living Life Guided Self Help is now available to the whole of Scotland.

Self-help coaches guide individuals over the phone through a series of self-help workbooks to help them understand some of the reasons why they are feeling low, depressed or anxious. The sessions take place over a period of approximately 4-8 weeks at a time which is suitable to the individual.

Living Life Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Living Life CBT offers specialist help and support, allowing individuals to work with a qualified therapist over the phone through a series of 6-9 telephone sessions. The therapist is able to provide specialist CBT support to patients in the short-term, helping individuals address negative patterns of thinking and teaching new ways of coping.
 
Living Life CBT is available across *NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (west Dumbartonshire), Lothian, Borders, Western Isles, Shetland, Orkney and NHS Highland.