PEOPLE suffering from mental health problems are discovering that it's good to talk in trying to overcome their stress and anxiety.

Since its launch two years ago, Tees Time to Talk has helped more than 11,400 people who have been referred to the Government-funded service.

The support it offers - in the appropriate circumstances - can have more lasting benefits than remedies that involve a course of medication.

Tees Time to Talk is a local consortium of health organisations, led by the national charity Mental Health Matters, which have come together to deliver Improved Access to Psychological Therapy across Teesside.

It is working with people from all walks of life, including Forces veterans returning from war zones, those suffering from work-related anxieties and also people who are deaf, who traditionally tend to ignore such services.

There have been more than 11,452 referrals to Tees Time to Talk since September 2009 and the partner organisations are keen to raise the profile of the service.

Those who may be eligible to be helped by the service include people with mild to moderate depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social and other phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, health anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder and bulimia.

To find out more, call 01642-221910 during office hours.