PATIENTS have helped design a series of mental health self-help guides that are being distributed through GP practices.

The guides cover such issues as stress, anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders and anger management and are available in surgeries in the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield areas of County Durham.

The leaflets aim to support people and signpost them to a range of services that can offer further help.

They were created with the help of patients as part of a project by the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

CCGs are being established to take responsibility for planning and purchasing health services in their local communities.

Dr Rob McKinty, a GP at Dr Ferguson & Partners in Newton Aycliffe, said: “Mental health issues have been identified as a priority for our locality.

“I hope that these guides will offer people appropriate support and signpost them to a service or health professional that can meet their needs.”