The Depression Recovery Programme from us here in St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) aims to deliver support and education for people experiencing depression or symptoms that are associated with depression.
This is a group programme which takes place online.
Programme content is guided by principles of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Through the Depression Recovery Programme, it is aimed that participants:
- build an understanding of depression
- manage their symptoms effectively
- improve their quality of life.
There are currently three programmes offered within the service:
- Level A: Activating recovery - An initial three-week educational programme open to service users currently in hospital or attending from home on a day basis.
- Level B: Building recovery - A 12-week cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills-based programme open to day patients only.
- Level C: Maintaining recovery - A step-down group for those who have completed building recovery.
Approach to treatment
An experienced team of mental health professionals run the Depression Recovery Programme, including psychiatric nurses and cognitive behavioural therapists. Members of the multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) here in SPMHS – such as a consultant psychiatrist, pharmacist, occupational therapist, and social worker - also make guest contributions to the programme.
The programme includes three elements.
Depression Recovery Workshop
Participants undertake the Depression Recovery Workshop as a once-off session before beginning the Depression Recovery Programme. Through the workshop, participants can come to understand depression and address its causes. Participants learn new skills and techniques, which they are encouraged to practice and develop in the workshop. Concepts of CBT, CFT, mindfulness and behavioural activation are used to promote a proactive and healthy lifestyle through the workshop too.
Depression Recovery Programme
The Depression Recovery Programme combines approaches from CFT, MBSR and CBT in a group psychotherapy programme. The programme takes place for a full day each week for 10 weeks; it is currently delivered online as an outpatient programme. It combines approaches from CBT, CFT and MBSR. Sessions are led by Cognitive behavioural psychotherapists and nurses who have expertise in depression, mindfulness, group therapy, and CFT lead the sessions.
Depression Recovery Aftercare
Participants can build on the changes made and skills learned earlier in the programme through Depression Recovery Aftercare. This psychotherapy group meets for a half day once a month, for a 12-month period, and aims to support participants to maintain recovery and prevent relapse by continuing to develop skills, recognise early warning signs, and sustaining a healthy lifestyle. This aftercare group is delivered by two accredited CBT therapists.
Make a referral
GPs can refer patients to the Depression Recovery Programme. You can find more information on referring to SPMHS through the options below.
If you have any queries regarding a referral to our services, please contact the Referral and Assessment Service on 01 249 3635.
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Electronic referrals
You can send electronic referrals, or eReferrals, through Healthlink or through your GP Practice IT Management System, such as Socrates or HealthOne.
Simply choose "St Patrick's Mental Health Services" from the private hospital list, then select "Psychiatric Referral Service" from departments.
Once this is completed, our team at St Patrick’s will respond.
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Referral form
You can download an adult referral form or adolescent referral form.
When the referral form is completed, you can send it by secure email through Healthmail, by using our Healthmail referrals address: referrals@stpatricks.ie.
Our Referrals and Assessment Service will contact either you or your patient directly patient to discuss the referral.
