AN effective depression treatment is now available at a specialist therapy centre which opened at St Ann's Hospital this week.

The clinic in Mulberry House, part of Haringey's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service, (IAPT) will offer a range of talking therapies to patients hoping to overcome depression or anxiety.

It is part of an initiative to improve access to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which has been praised for its effective and quick methods.

Of the 3,000 people in Haringey who have used talking therapies, 40 per cent have beaten their conditions and 11.4 per cent have been able to return to work.

Two thirds of the patients lived in the east of the borough, which is significantly more socially deprived than areas in the west such as Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Highgate.

Tottenham MP David Lammy said: "Life in Tottenham is not always easy. I am really excited about the innovative work the team at IAPT are doing to support those who are depressed, stressed or just feeling low."

He added that the service was a positive way to re-engage with communities and praised its accessibility at "grassroots level".

Dorian Cole, head of IAPT, said: "This is all about helping people get therapy and help that is proven to work as quickly and as effectively as possible.

"In its first year, 3500 people have used Haringey IAPT services, and by next year with our current level of resources we will be seeing over 6000 people per year."