EXTENSIVE treatments to help combat stress and anxiety are being made available to people who are struggling during the continuing credit crunch.

NHS Barnet say their services are on alert to provide additional support to patients who may need it during the challenging economic times.

Dr Andrew Burnett, medical director and director for health improvement for NHS Barnet, said current the situation may affect peoples’ health in the longer term but admits they wouldn’t necessarily expect to see an immediate increase in related illness.

“We are aware that one of the possible impacts could be on mental health as people suffer with stress and anxiety based disorders,” he said.

“We continue to work closely with partners to identify those populations that might be hardest hit.”

He added health chiefs are also looking at how we can improve access to psychological therapies across the borough.

He said: “Initially this is focusing on reviewing counselling and psychological therapies provided by the Mental Health Trust.

“The Department of Health has identified some money which will help with this and will allow us to further develop services that can provide cognitive behavioural therapy.

“This will support individuals and prevent some mental health issues becoming more serious. This is especially pertinent during times of stress, when less serious mental health issues can suddenly escalate.”

Ciba Shanae, a therapist who specialises in combating stress levels associated with modern day hectic lifestyles, believes people need to remember to find time for themselves.

The 57-year-old, who is based at the North London Natural Health Centre, in Church Road, Hendon, said the constant link with technology that comes from the workplace is not allowing people time to ease down.

She said: “In the past people could leave their problems at home.

“They would keep the problem within the house, but now people are walking around with phones and talking about everything all the time, so stress levels are constantly growing and going everywhere with people.

“No one is giving themselves space to not be stressful, there is no space for themselves.

“It's about realising what is in the head affects the body. People need to find a way of getting the mind to say 'shut up'.”

For more information on stress related illnesses, visit www.barnet.nhs.uk or contact Ms Shanae on 01597 851 899.