Innovative approach adopted to address mental health crisis

Right There is excited to announce we are using a new delivery model to tackle shortages in access to therapeutic support.  We have widened our existing counselling provision to help more people access support earlier, before issues reach crisis point. 

The approach uses a supervised placement model, with counselling delivered by postgraduate counselling students – initially from the University of Strathclyde, Queen Margaret College, Grounded Learning, and the Centre of Therapy – who are closely supported by an experienced Supervising Counsellor. 

The announcement was made to mark National Mental Health Awareness Week, 11th to 17th May.  

The expanded service builds on our established counselling work, including its long running service in Orkney, and will offer young people and adults the option of in-person support delivered at hubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh, or online sessions for people in other parts of the country.  

One young woman who accessed counselling through Right There’s service in Orkney, said:  

“Right There Counselling was the helping hand I needed to pull myself through some immensely difficult situations in my life. Having that support a message away, knowing I could talk unfiltered and receive not only strong in-person advice and support, but referrals to practical help for my situation. All this really gave me the leg up I needed to rebuild a new safer life for myself, as my true self, when I had few places to turn. This is an invaluable service for young people.” 

The counselling service offers a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for young people and adults to talk openly about what is affecting their lives and their mental health. Counselling helps to reduce isolation and prevents symptoms from worsening during lengthy waiting times. 

Elvira Kesoglou, Supervising Counsellor at Right There, said:

“We know that demand for counselling support has grown significantly across the country, but access has not kept pace. For some years now we have been funding a popular counselling service to people accessing our programmes in Orkney, but we are desperate to expand our care out to the rest of Scotland.  

“This new model allows us to widen that access safely and affordably, while maintaining the quality, supervision and person-centred care that people deserve. It also helps us support the next generation of counsellors in a structured and ethical way.” 

The initial service will only be available for people referred through Right There’s programmes. W plan to continue developing the service over the coming year, with scope to introduce additional therapeutic approaches as capacity grows.