It is often easier to see the outward signs of stroke, but the mental and psychological changes can be harder to spot, but just as debilitating: we don’t always consider how we feel on the inside.

Stroke can leave people feeling a range of difficult emotions such as stress, fear and hopelessness – all of which (if left unchecked), can cause long-term physiological problems such as anxiety and depression.

Think Ahead Stroke’s Well-being Courses are designed to help stroke survivors and their carers understand their state of mind, and give them the tools they need to cope emotionally and move forward.

These group therapy courses are available to all stroke survivors and carers, and are delivered by qualified psychotherapists from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, using highly effective Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

The courses are free, take six weeks and are usually held at Think Ahead’s Stroke Information Centre in conjunction with the Primary Care Psychology Service.