Mental Health Support

We support people with mild-to-moderate mental health needs, such as anxiety and depression, in prisons. 

Talking Therapies (in-prison support)

Talking Therapies, formerly known as ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)’, is a nationwide programme designed to treat adults with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Therapies are delivered by fully trained and accredited practitioners, who tailor the session intensity and duration based on the needs of the clients.

We offer a wide range of mental wellbeing workshops and Talking Therapy step-based treatments in some of our prisons. Our team consists of Mental Wellbeing workers, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP), Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (SPWP), and High Intensity Therapists (HIT) who deliver step 1-3 treatments. 

Step 2 interventions include:

• Psycho-educational workshops on various topics such as depression, sleep, and anxiety management. 
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) sessions with a trained Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. 
• Guided self-help ‘in-cell’ packs based on CBT principles such as exercise, sleep, and mindfulness. 
• Self-help books on recommendation. 
• Signposting to other services. 

Step 3 interventions include:

• Structured one-to-one sessions. 
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a trained High Intensity Therapist.

We currently deliver Talking Therapies in the following prisons:

• HMP Chelmsford.
• HMP Highpoint.
• HMP Hollesley Bay.
• HMP The Mount.
• HMP Warren Hill.

Reach Out (UK-wide community support)

If you’re struggling with your mental health as a result of your or someone else’s addiction and need someone to talk to, our Reach Out online chat service could help.

Reach Out provides free, confidential advice on drug or alcohol worries – whether they affect you directly or a friend or relative. It is currently available between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays). Visit the Reach Out page to find out more.

How to get help

If you want to speak to someone confidentially online, chat to us on our Reach Out service. Please note that Reach Out is not a crisis service. If you are in an urgent situation or emergency, such as a suspected overdose, call 999. If you are in crisis, contact the Samaritans.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept referrals for our prison services from family and friends. If you have a loved one in prison that needs support for their mental health, they will need to put in an application to the service in that prison or ask their Personal Officer to do so on their behalf.