Tutor praises ‘life-changing’ NHS service after mental health struggles

Kyle Bright

A tutor who struggled with depression and anxiety for decades found himself at his lowest when retirement loomed and his marriage collapsed – but support from a free NHS Wales service turned out to be “life-changing”.

Former maths teacher Iain Messenger called the NHS 111 press 2 mental health service after experiencing crippling panic attacks, low self-esteem and “dark thoughts”.

For Messenger, the support he received after being directed to the SilverCloud Wales online service, which offers guided self-help programmes for mental health and wellbeing, helped him realise he “wasn’t the only one”.

“The sense of hopelessness dissipated almost immediately,” says Messenger.

“I realised I wasn’t the only one – other people were dealing with the exact same problems and feelings. I no longer felt alone.”

The 58-year-old, who lives near Welshpool, has spoken out to coincide with Time to Talk Day on Thursday (5th February), which encourages people to speak out about their experiences to help destigmatise mental health.

After quitting the classroom in 2024, he decided to focus on private tutoring. But handing in his notice coincided with a marital breakdown, and meant he battled panic attacks each day in his final months of work.

“I was struggling with my close relationships, and basic decision-making always turned into a drama,” Iain explained.

“I felt useless, wandering about not able to focus on anything. I couldn’t even read a book or watch the TV.

“I had some pretty dark thoughts – that I was a disaster, and no use to my family. I was in a real mess.”

He went on to add that seeking help through the NHS 111 press 2 service in June last year was a “huge” and “humbling” step.

“It’s a bloke thing – you put on a front and pretend you’re OK,” he explained. “And I was typical in that regard, I wouldn’t really speak to anybody.

“You feel like the only person in the world who can’t do life, but then when you phone 111 press 2 and they go through the list of questions, it’s instantly relatable. You realise you’re not the first person to be there.”

‘From hopeless to hopeful’

Messenger was referred to counselling but was signposted to the SilverCloud service while he waited for an appointment.

The online courses offered through the service are based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for issues including depression, anxiety, poor sleep and stress.

CBT is an evidence-based therapy which works by encouraging people to challenge the way they think, feel and behave so they can be better equipped to cope with life’s challenges.

Access to the SilverCloud service is free to anyone in Wales aged 16 or over, without seeing a GP.

Iain spoke on his experience using the service. He admitted he was “sceptical at first”, but felt the support helped him build a plan to get well again.

“I just couldn’t see how an online platform was going to work, I thought I needed someone to press the right buttons and fix me.

“But going through the programme, there were scenarios that described exactly how I was feeling. I identified with so much of what was being said.

“And I was now actively doing something to get well. Just having a plan in place meant I went almost immediately from hopeless to hopeful.”

SilverCloud Wales

The programme has already seen 41,000 people across Wales access the service since its pilot in Powys in 2018.

The platform offers support for a broad range of people, from adults and parents support children, to students, young people and teens with anxiety.

The three most popular programmes – addressing anxiety and depression – are also available in Welsh.

SilverCloud Wales is managed by NHS Wales’ Online CBT Service. The project manager, Fionnuala Clayton, emphasised the importance of Time to Talk Day and the SilverCloud service: “Time to Talk Day reminds us how important it is to speak up when you’re struggling – it’s often the first step to feeling better.

“But we know that isn’t always easy, and that’s where SilverCloud can help. It offers flexible, confidential support you can access straight away, without waiting for a GP appointment. We’re delighted to see the difference it’s made to Iain’s life.”

Iain said: “I’m still using the lessons I picked up through SilverCloud, and they’re becoming more embedded in my thinking.

“I’m grateful – on a daily basis – for the things I learned. It’s been lifechanging.”

You can sign up to the SilverCloud service here. If you require urgent support, call NHS 111 and press OPTION 2.