Following successful field testing, the Mental Health Foundation has launched a new self-help CD-ROM for anyone experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. The CD-ROM, Restoring the Balance, is specifically designed to provide users with information and strategies for managing anxiety or depression. Although primarily designed for use in primary care settings, such as general practitioner surgeries where a practitioner is available to provide post-session support, this new program can also be used on its own by mental health service users. Its straightforward graphics make it particularly suitable for people who have little or no previous experience of using computers, and the CD-ROM comes complete with worksheets.

Restoring the Balance has been successfully field tested in a primary care setting with patients experiencing anxiety and depression. In comparison with a control group, use of the program by patients was found to have a positive impact on calmness and mood, measured on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale.

Restoring the Balance, price £25 for single user or £85 for multi-users is available from the Mental Health Foundation on tel: 020 7535 7441/7455. For further information contact Lesley Warner, Mental Health Foundation, tel: 020 7535 7422; e-mail: Lwarner@mhf.org.uk.