AN URGENT plea has been issued to find more therapists across Southampton as mental health referrals grow.

Options Wellbeing Trust, which provides people with professional support covering many life issues, has said that 2021 data shows mental health services in England received a record 4.3 million referrals.

NHS Digital data shows there were 3.3 million specific referrals to specialist adult mental health services in 2021 in Southampton, Hampshire and Dorset.

The wellbeing charity has issued an urgent plea this month to find 30 Associate Therapists and Practitioners to meet the demand for counsellors post-pandemic as mental health referrals soar.

Options Wellbeing is looking to fill self-employed roles. Those who join the charity as an associate will receive a whole host of benefits including working in a team.

Applicants are asked to commit to a minimum of four hours per week during the daytime and one evening per week.

Claire Trent, service manager at the not-for-profit organisation, which has its headquarters and a therapy hub on Shirley Road, said the pandemic "took its toll on wellbeing in England".

Claire added: "We’re seeing a much greater demand for the services we deliver and are receiving an uplift in referrals from the NHS, so we’re looking for qualified therapists or practitioners to join our team now to deal with the demand and to help those on waiting lists who need support.

"Many individual counsellors may be seeing their private work drying up but as we receive a lot of referrals from our partners, who work for and with the NHS, we’re seeing a huge demand still."

Anyone who is a qualified therapist or practitioner and registered with a recognised professional body such as BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), UKRCP, CA, ANLP & NCS, is invited to get in touch to find out more.

Get in touch by emailing support@optionswellbeing.co.uk