British Association of Dermatologists launches psychological support website

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has launched www.skinsupport.org.uk, a Department of Health funded website providing psychological support for people with skin conditions.

The website brings together, and links to, patient information leaflets, support groups, self-help materials and help-lines. Prior to the Skin Support website, support materials and services directed specifically at skin disease patients were sporadic and disparate and those that did exist were not always easy to find or access.

Skin conditions are the most frequent reason for people to consult their GP. It is not just the physical symptoms that affect sufferers’ lives – diseases that are visible, disfiguring or long-term can carry a multitude of psychological and social effects, including isolation and depression. In the UK, psoriasis alone is linked to 300 suicide attempts annually. A BAD survey in 2011 revealed that 85% of patients indicated to their dermatologist that the psycho-social aspects of their skin disease were a major component of their illness.

Dr David Eedy, president of the BAD said, “Skin diseases can have a devastating impact on people’s mental and emotional wellbeing and the benefits of support on both mental health and physical symptoms are well known in medical circles. However, few dermatology departments have access to local liaison psychiatrists and their associated services, so self-help can be a vital tool for patients. The beauty of the Skin Support website is that it brings together lots of content in one easy to navigate place, and it tailors the materials to people’s individual skin disease and any physical impairment this may involve.”