6 May 2020: service update

iCope is providing a tailored response to those affected by Covid-19, which includes:

• Everyone who self-refers/is referred to Islington iCope will receive a call back within 48 hours, offering practical and emotional support and guidance, to discuss coping skills and to help them decide whether they would like further support. 
• In addition to the usual psychological treatment for common mental health problems, iCope is offering up to three sessions of therapeutic support for those who are bereaved and are finding it difficult to cope during the Covid-19 outbreak. 
• iCope is running specialist online webinars for anxiety and low mood during the Covid-19 outbreak. 

iCope offers a range of short-term psychological interventions for adults presenting with common mental health problems like depression or anxiety. The service provides brief, structured, evidence-based psychological treatment across the range of severity, as long as the person experiencing the difficulties is in a position to safely engage and benefit from treatment.

The main clinical presentations iCope can offer help with are: 

• depression: low mood, reduced energy and motivation, poor concentration, sleep and appetite disturbance, loss of enjoyment, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, feelings of hopelessness and suicidal ideation.
• agoraphobia: fear of crowds, public places, travelling alone or travelling away from home.
• social phobia: fear of social situations such as speaking or eating in public, group situations, meeting strangers.
• specific phobia: fear of something specific e.g. flying, needles.
• panic disorder: recurrent panic attacks with no discernible trigger (unpredictable).
• generalised anxiety disorder: prominent tension, worry and feelings of apprehension about everyday events and problems.
• obsessive compulsive disorder: repetitive unpleasant thoughts, commonly leading to repetitive actions in attempt to reduce anxiety (relief is temporary).
• post-traumatic stress disorder: reliving, avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms following an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic event. (Panic attacks may be present as a symptom in any of the above diagnoses).

As well as face-to-face sessions, groups, workshops, on-line guided self-help and telephone support are all offered. For a fuller description and a list of planned group sessions see the iCope website.

Even if a face to face session has been requested, it is also worth considering a relevant themed group session that may be -available sooner (see website). Group sessions in combination with face-to-face sessions can be and should be used as appropriate.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusions

• Adults (18+) 
• Registered with a Camden or Islington GP
• Or living in these boroughs and not registered with a GP (they will be encouraged to register).

Exclusions

• Children (aged < 17.5 years)
• Adults presenting with serious mental health problems (not anxiety or depression), and other specialist or complex difficulties: 
  • psychosis
  • bipolar disorder (except if currently depressed with no recent mood elevation, and looking for psychological therapy for depression)
  • problems related to a personality disorder or people who have significant interpersonal difficulties
  • significant alcohol or drug use
  • eating disorder
  • anger management (that is not secondary to anxiety or depression)
  • moderate-severe learning disability.
• Adults with active suicidal risk or risk to others.
• Adults who require secondary (specialist) mental health care i.e. complex and/or risky mental health problems requiring a multidisciplinary team approach. This includes people who will not engage with secondary care or who are yet to be seen.
• Adults who have had several unsuccessful attempts at treatment with iCope previously (it is often helpful for us to have a clinical discussion with you about these patients).
• Adults whose primary request is for diagnosis or medication, or who are not wanting or able to work psychologically.

How to refer

The following clinicians can refer to this service: GPs

External Links