Publish date: 16 February 2026
A new campaign encourages people struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) or a phobia to refer themselves for NHS Talking Therapies treatment.
NHS Talking Therapies provide effective, confidential and free treatments delivered by trained professionals, in person, on the phone or as an online course. People can be referred by their GP or refer themselves at nhs.uk/talk
The national NHS campaign will target people 30-50, with additional focus on men, Black and South Asian audiences and specific activity for those aged 65+.
Look out for adverts on video-on-demand (catch up TV), online video (YouTube), radio (including community stations), digital audio, social media and search (Google), supported by PR, social media influencers, and partnership activity.
Additional activity and engagement work will be targeted to multicultural audiences, and also disabled audiences, including people with a learning disability or autism.
Alternative formats, will include British Sign language (BSL) and Easy Read versions.
To bring the campaign to life, celebrities and members of the public aresharing unseen personal photos that marked a turning point in their mental health journey, as part of a 'Behind The Photo' content series to show how NHS Talking Therapies can help.
EastEnders’Shona McGarty, who lives with social anxiety, former football player Clarke Carlisle, who has PTSD, and TOWIE star Charlie King who lives with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), have joined patients affected by other common anxiety conditions in sharing a single photo from their camera roll that signifies their recovery.
The images (above), which may look unremarkable to others, represent a ‘hidden victory’ in overcoming their symptoms, thanks to skills and techniques learned in therapy.
The campaign will also be supported by new survey findings revealing worrying misconceptions around common anxiety conditions that may deter people from seeking the help they need.
To find out about Talking Therapies at Mersey Care visit: NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression :: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
