Lung Conditions & Mental Health

Zephyr Guide app (iOS & android): animated guide to support people to correctly use inhalers. For a review of the app visit: https://www.blf.org.uk/

PatientMpower apps: apps to support people living with cystic fibrosis (patientMpower for CF – iOS only) and support people living with COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung transplant, kidney transplant, vasculitis, hypertension and prostate cancer (patientMpower – iOS & android). For a review one of the apps visit: https://www.blf.org.uk/

Smart Asthma: Forecast asthma app (iOS & android): to support people living with asthma to track triggers, symptoms, control asthma and prevent attacks. For a review of the app visit: https://www.blf.org.uk/

ASTHMAXcel app: includes interactive modules/chapters and animated videos about asthma and asthma management. For a review of the app visit: https://www.blf.org.uk/

iPrescribe Exercise (iOS & Android): app developed by physiotherapists that creates a 12-week exercise plan based on health information entered by the user. It helps to improve overall health, along with managing a number of long-term health conditions through physical activity. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/iprescribe-exercise/

Other mental health apps:

These resources support general mental health and may not be specific to health problems.

NHS Apps Library provides a general list of digital tools to help you manage and improve your mental and physical health.

UCL Positive app for students – an app to support your wellbeing.

iCope Mental Health Apps Review 2017 – this is a list of free, recommended mental health apps. Recommendations come from iCope clinicians, online app reviews, published studies and feedback from iCope service users.

British Lung Foundation is a national charity that supports people living with heart conditions in the UK.

Phone: 03000 030 555
Email via online webform
Web: https://www.blf.org.uk/

They also have a number of resources available via their website:

• All guides available here 
• How can I carry on doing pulmonary rehabilitation (if my face-to face sessions have been paused)? 
• Keep active (physical activity and exercise) 
• Breathlessness booklet 
• Breathing control and breathlessness
• Sex and breathlessness
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease leaflet 
• Eating well for healthier lungs booklet
• How to stop smoking leaflet
• Living with pulmonary fibrosis leaflet
• Sarcoidosis leaflet
• Tuberculosis leaflet  
• Caring for someone with a lung condition guide
  

Asthma  UK: a national charity for people with asthma

Phone: 0300 222 5800
Web: https://www.asthma.org.uk/

Resources that are available via the website:

• Asthma UK action plans: English
• Translated action plans (11 languages) 

Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care online leaflets on breathlessness for respiratory conditions

Pulmonary Hypertension Association: a national charity for people living with pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust: a UK-based charity that supports people living with pulmonary fibrosis

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis Charity: a patient-driven UK-based charity for people living with pulmonary fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Trust: a UK-based charity that supports people living with cystic fibrosis

Sarcoidosis UK (previously SILA): a UK-based charity for people affected by sarcoidosis

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation: a UK-based charity that offers support and information for people affected by lung cancer

Positive Coping with Health Conditions: a self-care workbook written by health professionals that provides strategies to help individuals living with health problems to cope

General mental health websites and workbooks

These resources support general mental health and may not be specific to health problems.

Northumberland NHS self-help
Brief self-help leaflets on: Abuse, Alcohol, Anxiety, Domestic Violence, Self Harm, Panic, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress, Postnatal Depression, Obsessions and Compulsions

Centre for Clinical Interventions
Detailed workbooks on: panic, worrying, assertiveness, disordered eating, low self-esteem, managing distress, depression.

Talk Plus
This website has a range of booklets and videos explaining step by step how to use some of the key cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, for example behavioural activation, problem-solving, worry management and graded exposure. These may be used alongside some of the therapy sessions you attend in our service.

Good Thinking
Tools and resources to help yourself and others to feel better.

Mind
Mental health charity with lots of useful information.

British Lung Foundation playlists that includes advice, tips and interviews all about living well with lung conditions. Consider listening to these interviews:

• Ann describes breathlessness and isolation and how she copes with this
• Heidi describes attending cardiac rehabilitation for the first time as a relative younger person (aged 52) with COPD

Positive Coping with Health Conditions – Relaxation Method Audio resource that goes through exercises to release tension and promote relaxation. Accompanies a self-care workbook written by health professionals that provides strategies to help individuals living with health problems to cope

General mental health audio resources:

These resources support general mental health and may not be specific to health problems.

Let’s talk about CBT – audio podcast by Dr Lucy Maddox, BABCP

NHS Moodzone – a range of audio guides and podcasts to boost your mood including low mood and depression, overcoming sleep problems, unhelpful thinking, and low confidence and assertiveness

Exercise and mental health – podcast by the Mental Health Foundation

Glasgow Wellbeing Service – a range of audio resources on topics such as anxiety, relaxation, panic, sleep and stress