Mental health
Good mental wellbeing is critical for our health, relationships, sense of purpose and our ability to cope with our daily life. Just like we may need help with our physical health, many of us will need mental health support at some point in our lives.
Urgent- I need help now
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis – you can call Mental Health Direct 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 995 1000 or NHS 111 - Option 2.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call Samaritans on 116 123 for free. Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will give you free, confidential, and non-judgmental emotional support.
If you are at immediate risk of physical harm because of mental health concern or feel like you need immediate assistance, please call 999 or visit your local A&E if you are able to.
Shout Crisis Text Line is a 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text 85258. For more information visit the Shout Crisis website.
Find a GP near you
If you are concerned about your mental health, you should schedule an appointment with your GP for advice, support, or treatment. Find your local GP
You can also call NHS free of charge by calling 111.
Mental health and wellbeing map
View the wide range of local and online services and support on the interactive Mental Health and Wellbeing Map.
This map is designed to be a one-stop-shop for accessing a range of mental health and wellbeing services, which includes therapeutic support, social support groups, wellness activities, and others.
This map is regularly updated.
Therapy and counselling
Redbridge Talking Therapies provides a range of psychological therapies and counselling services. For free. You can self-refer online or call 0300 300 1554 (option 1) available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS/CAMHS) offers a wide range of specialist treatment programs to children, young people and their families. Call 0300 300 1618 (option: CAMHS).
Safe Connections Community hub provides a safe space for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to talk about their feelings and concerns. Call 0300 561 0115 or email safeconnections@mithn.org.uk to request a call back.
Mentell provides circles for men aged 18+ to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgement.
James' Place offers free life-saving therapy to men who are contemplating suicide.
Self help
NHS Mental Health Page - provides information and support for a range of mental health conditions.
Better Health- every mind matters/NHS - provides information and support for dealing with life’s challenges. Also offers self-help CBT techniques for treating specific mental health conditions. You can also take a short quiz to get your own plan with practical tips to help you make positive changes in your life.
Carers Trust - Helping you to take care of yourself , whilst caring for others.
Vision RCL Libraries - Offer a wide variety of free activities designed to support community wellbeing, connection and lifelong learning. Their programmes create safe, inclusive spaces that help residents improve their mental wellbeing, stay connected and build healthier day routines.
Vision RCL - Offer a range of low price wellness activity classes.
Five steps to improve your wellbeing
The NHS has shared five steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing:
- Connect with other people
- Be active - take the stairs, go for a walk, sign up to a yoga class
- Learn new skills
- Give to others - volunteer, join a community group, help someone
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness) of the environment around you and enjoy the moment.
Read more about the five steps on the NHS website
Understanding your own trauma - free course
This online course is for people who want to understand more about their own trauma or to support others in managing trauma.
Psychological trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or series of events that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. Trauma overwhelms the processes in our brain, which usually help us to make sense of experiences and can have a lasting impact on our lives.
Understanding your own trauma is for people who have experienced trauma at any point in their lives, perhaps through loss, bereavement, an accident, or illness. It is also for those who want to support friends or family through trauma. This course is not a replacement for therapy or counselling. You may find it difficult at times, and perhaps you would find it helpful to talk to someone, so we have included some signposts for further support, should you need it.
Cultural and Faith-inclusive Mental Health Support
If you would like to speak to a someone who understands your cultural or faith background, the following organisations offer free culturally appropriate and faith-sensitive support:
- Agal Wellbeing Services supports South Asian families in the UK who are facing mental health challenges and domestic abuse. They provide up to 8 free counselling sessions in person or over the phone.
Call: 074 9202 4932 or 074 3821 2578
Monday to Saturday : 9am-5pm
info@agalwellbeingservices.org
- The Muslim Community Helpline offers confidential, non-judgmental listening and emotional support and guidance for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
Call: 020 8904 8193 or 020 8908 6715.
Monday to Thursday: 10am-1pm.
Friday: 10am-4pm
- Premier Lifeline - Confidential Chrisitan Helpline is a confidential Christian helpline that provides a listening ear and emotional and spiritual support from a Christian perspective.
Call: 0300 111 0101
Monday to Friday (exc public holidays) :9am-5pm.
- Sikh Helpline provides confidential advice to help people cope with challenges and feel heard.
Call: 03000 3000 63 or 07999 004 363
Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and we recognise that not all cultural and faith communities are currently represented. We will continue to update this section as further reliable support services are identified.
Mental Health During and After Pregnancy
Support is available if you are feeling low, anxious, overwhelmed, isolated, struggling after a difficult birth, finding it hard to bond with your baby or worried about your mental health.
Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Support
Perinatal Parent Infant Mental Health Service
A specialist NHS service for women experiencing mental health problems during pregnancy and up to a year after birth. The service can also support parent-infant relationship and attachment difficulties for parents and children up to age 3.
Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, Essex
Monday—Friday 09:00—1700
0300 555 1119
www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-bdhvrbwf-ppimhs/
In the event of a crisis please contact:
NHS 111 – Option 2
Supports families with children up to age 4, and to to age 8 for children with SEND. Their support includes bonding and attachment, parental mental wellbeing where parents are affected by low mood, anxiety, depression or isolation, child development, communication, sleep routines and parenting support.
Infant development
Knowledge and skills in infant development is a great way to help you adjust successfully to being a parent. This will make your experience of parenting much more enjoyable and rewarding. This can range from your baby' social cues, learning the best way to interact with your baby to increase the bond between you.
Getting to know your baby videos have been developed to help parents, caregivers and health professionals to know to support the development of a baby's emotional wellbeing.
Brazelton Centre UK provides information and resources to help new parents understand how babies communicate through their behaviour. The website includes resources, videos and workshops for parents.
Further resources and support can be accessed through the Perinatal Parent Infant Mental Health Service using the contact details provided above.
Children & Young People
Young Minds - Offers a variety of practical guidance and assistance specifically designed for young people and the challenges they face, whilst also offering support to parents to help them support their child or any young person in their care.
The Mix - A free, confidential support service for young people. It is a space to get advice on topics such as mental health, relationships, body image, lifestyle school/college and others. Whether you're stressed, confused, worried or just need someone to listen, The Mix is here for you.
Stem4 - Offers free mental health apps designed for young people - giving teenagers practical tools to manage overwhelming feelings, such as anxiety, stress, low mood, pressure, academic worries and others.
The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) are dedicated to promoting mental wellbeing of children and young people through:
- evidence-based interventions to support children and young people experiencing anxiety, low mood and/or behavioural difficulties.
- monthly workshops for parents/carers about how to promote your child’s emotional health and wellbeing.
See details for the MHST support service
Bereavement support
Mind - Grieve in Pieces - This service has been designed for and by people in North East London boroughs who have been bereaved by suicide, to help you navigate the healing and coping process in a safe and confidential environment.
Cruse Bereavement Support - A national service that provides assistance to individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Their services are designed to help people navigate the complex emotions and challenges that come with bereavement.
Telephone: 0808 808 1677. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am to 5pm and Tuesday 1pm to 8pm.
The compassionate Friends - A national service that offers peer support to bereaved parents, adult siblings and grandparents who have experienced the death of a child, sibling or grandchild.
Telephone: 0345 123 2304. Open everyday 10am to 4pm and 7pm to 10pm
