NHS South Yorkshire have commissioned an innovative wellness app to provide 24/7 support to residents of South Yorkshire.
The app is called ‘Teladoc MyStrength’ and has been delivered by Consultant Connect, the NHS Telemedicine provider.
Sarah Boul, Programme Director for Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “At a time where pressure around cost of living is building, it is important that we look after our mental health.
“We are really pleased to offer people in South Yorkshire access to this app, which is available 24 hours a day and provides wellness resources, signposting to crisis helplines, and self-help guides.”
What will the app include?
‘Teladoc MyStrength’ aims to provide free support for over a million people at the click of a finger.
A spokesperson for Consultant Connect told ShefNews that the emotional wellness app ‘takes advantage of personalised multi-media resources’ to help reduce stress levels and elevate the user’s mood.
It will feature specialised advice on a range of topics such as:
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Improving mood
- Sleep
- Managing chronic pain
- Becoming a parent
- Managing stress and anxiety
Who is behind the app?
The app is controlled by a selection of registered NHS mental health professionals; their role is to help users navigate the app if needed.
A short set of questions is presented to the user to figure out how they can make the most out of the service; the app then generates its advice based on the user’s responses to the questionnaire, tailoring its support to accommodate their needs, making the experience feel more personalised and unique.
Teladoc is aware that moods can differ on a daily basis; as a result, the app offers day-to-day mood tracking which can help users practice mindfulness and set goals.
Why is this app important?
A CIPHR study revealed that nearly half of the adults in the UK (49%) admit to feeling stress for five or more days each month, with sleepless nights and financial difficulties being the root causes.
This indicates a clear need for a resource which will be accessible to everyone and can be easily incorporated into a daily routine, which is where this new ‘innovative’ app comes in.
How can I access it?
The app is currently available to everyone aged 16 and over who lives in the South Yorkshire region.
It is available on both Smartphone and Desktop, via the App store and Google play, using the access code ‘southyorkshirewellness’.