After further investigations by her GP, she was told what she had actually experienced was a panic attack, and referred for mental health support.
Salokannas went on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) course but was still struggling to get her life back on track, so her GP referred her to a social prescribing link worker.
‘Simple activities that brought us together’
“Later, when I was able to think about the future, my link worker persuaded me to join some group activities and I went and met other people in a similar situation. We would take part in CBT and breathing exercises, we would create mood boards and we would often take a walk in nature around Morden Hall Park.
“They also give us the opportunity to tell people how we were feeling and listen to others too.”
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is a key component of Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.
Social prescribing is an all-age, whole population approach that works particularly well for people who:
have one or more long term conditions who need support with low level mental health issues who are lonely or isolated who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.The scheme connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. These can include helping someone join a befriending group, exercise programme or a community gardening project, as well as arts and dance classes.
People of any age can be referred but it is particularly aimed at those who have one or more long term conditions; who need support with low level mental health issues; who are lonely or isolated; or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.
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“It was so different to going to a GP where they only have a short ten minutes to see you. My link worker took the time to really listen to me and find out what was going on in my life. I immediately felt like I was in safe hands.”
Separate research by the National Academy for Social Prescribing has suggested that social prescribing can lead to reductions in unnecessary GP appointments, A&E attendances and hospital admissions, and save costs for the health service.
‘She was amazing’
It was through a social prescribing pilot programme, that focused on reintegrating people who had been isolated during the pandemic back into their communities, that Salokannas began to leave the house again, meet new people and regain her confidence.
“Through the group I was able to get out of the house and out into nature, while meeting new people who I could talk to who were going through similar things, and that was such a huge relief.
“Now things are much better. I’ve done some volunteering and support other people in the group I joined through social prescribing. I’m also studying different breathing techniques and mindfulness. With these skills I can help other people and have learned a lot about myself too.”
To find out more visit socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/
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