Mental health support and advice

Find information about support and services for mental health issues and emotional wellbeing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency situation you should call 999. This may differ from being in a mental health crisis which is described below.

Mental Health and Wellbeing support

Good mental wellbeing is fundamental to our physical health, our relationships, our sense of purpose, our ability to get through the normal stress of day to day life and to be able to cope when things change. It can improve self-confidence. It can help us to manage life’s problems and to enjoy the good things, especially when we have money worries it's important to remember there is support available.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - 25 November 2022

Domestic abuse and violence can have an enormous impact on your mental health. It is now well accepted that abuse both in childhood and adulthood can lead to the development of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, self harm, suicide and more.

To find out some of the support available for women please look in our resources section.

It’s time to think of your Wellbeing

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are a set of steps that any of us can take to improve upon our wellbeing:

Connect. Make time to catch up with a friend, family or neighbour. Hear how they are and tell them how you have been. Choose whatever way is best and safest for you to talk.
Be Active. Simply go for a daily walk, walk the kids to school, or do some exercise at home.
Keep Learning. Try a new recipe. Rediscover an old hobby. Sign up for that course.
Give. Do something nice for a friend, a neighbour, or even a stranger. Thank someone. Give someone a smile. Volunteer your time or join a community group.
Take notice. Be curious about the world around you! Look at the nature around you – beautiful flowers, birds, trees.

Remember that it is ok to be nice to yourself! Do some things which make you smile and make you feel good!

Why not get your own mental health plan by taking a simple quiz?

Listen to a member from your own community talk about the five ways to wellbeing: Arabic, Bengali, Somali and Turkish.

Mental health support is also available in Arabic, Bengali, Somali and Turkish to help you cope with ‘new normal’ during the ongoing pandemic.

Mental Health Resources

Accessing Mental Health Support

Many of us will need some help with our mental health at some point, just as we will with our physical health.

Non-Emergency Advice

If you are concerned about your mental health, you should see your GP for advice, support or treatment. Find your nearest GP on the NHS website.
Talking about your problems can really help. You can refer yourself to Camden and Islington iCope who offer free, confidential help for problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
For non-emergency advice and health questions, you can phone NHS for free on 111
There are also lots of other local services and support – see the rest of Mental Health Resources on this page.

Mental Health Emergency

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis – you can call 020 3317 6333 any time, 24 hours a day.
You may visit the emergency mental health teams in A&E at one of University College Hospital, Whittington Hospital, and Royal Free Hospital.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to reach out, call the Samaritans any time, day or night, phone 116 123
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of physical harm because of a mental health concern or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe call 999 or visit your local A&E

Resources for Suicide Prevention

Beder	Beder takes a unique approach to softly raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention through exciting events and initiatives
Rethink	NCL Support After Suicide Service
Thrive	Zero Suicide London
Stay alive app	The StayAlive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.
James Place	Life-saving support to men in suicidal crisis
International Association for Suicide Prevention	Dedicated to preventing suicide and suicidal behaviour and to alleviate its effects.

Resources for good mental health and wellbeing

Here to help	If you need support or help, for example with rising fuel costs or you need help with food then please call us on 020 7527 8222. We are open weekdays from 9am – 5pm (Wednesday from 10am). You can also email us on heretohelp@islington.gov.uk. There are also a number of Warm Spaces across Islington.
Cost of living	Advice from Good Thinking on how to look after your mental health during the cost of living crisis.
Growing Together (iCope) support for parents and young children	Helps both adults and children (aged 1-5) in a family with their mental health and wellbeing. Growing Together welcomes families from diverse backgrounds and cultures and individuals who identify as LGTBQ+.
Thrive LDN	Offers range of resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Maytree	A residential respite centre for people who are feeling suicidal. Call 020 7263 7070.
Good Thinking	An online mental wellbeing service for Londoners that promotes proactive self-care for the four most common mental health conditions: anxiety, low mood, sleeping difficulties and stress.
Age UK Islington	To help you get confidence, feel positive, & practical solutions to your health & social care needs, offers range of support, especially for those over 50.
Islington Mind for better mental health	Range of mental health services for residents of Islington.
Hand in hand peer travel budd y	Islington Mind's trained peer volunteers can support Islington based clients who need help to attend appointments, courses or access green spaces by helping them use public transport and offering emotional reassurances.
Every mind matters	Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing from the NHS.
Give us a shout	Text any time, day or night, messages are confidential and anonymous.
Mental Health Foundation	Finding ways to prevent mental health problems.
No more panic	For sufferers and carers of people with Panic, Anxiety, Phobias and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD).
Bereavement Islington Council	We are sorry for your loss, If you are in need of additional support there are many services available in the borough to help.

Reading lists about mental health

Reading List	A mental health reading list compiled by Islington Library Services for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020.
Reading well for mental health	A list of book for reading well for mental health for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.

Resources for Young People

Kooth	If you’re aged between 11 and 18, or a child in your care is, Kooth offers free, safe and anonymous online wellbeing and mental health support.
Islington Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)	Visit CAMHS if looking for support for the emotional health and wellbeing of children, young people and families in Islington. You can also call the NCL (North Central London) 24/7 mental health support line on 0800 151 0023.
Body and Soul	Offers support and trauma coping strategies to young people and crisis support for frontline NHS staff Resources for Parents and Carers.
Young Minds	Range of mental health support for young people & parents.
No panic	Supporting those living with Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders. No Panic also provides support for the carers of people who suffer from anxiety disorders.

Resources for women

The Maya Centre	is a free counselling service for women experiencing mental health issues which may stem from trauma including domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse in childhood, war and conflict.
Hopscotch Women’s Centre	help women and girls from ethnic minorities out of poverty, abuse and into employment, giving them a place away from isolation, moving towards friendship and positive mental health.
Solace Women and Girls Network	supports women who have experienced violence or are at risk including sexual and domestic violence; offers counselling, advocacy and advice.
The Ashiana Network	empowers minority ethnic and refugee women, particularly South Asian, Turkish and Middle Eastern women with culturally sensitive advice, support and safe housing-enabling them to make positive and appropriate choices for themselves.
Support Line	provides confidential emotional support to any individual, especially those who are socially isolated, at risk groups, or victims of any form of abuse.
Refuge	find out what you can do to support your friend or a family member affected by domestic abuse.

Resources for Faith and Belief Communities

Good Thinking faith and belief communities

Good Thinking, is an NHS approved service promoting proactive self-care for anxiety, low mood, sleeping difficulties and stress. It also offers videos and podcasts for specific faith and belief communities.

Resources for Employers and Employees

Time To Change - Take action in your workplace	Use the ready-to-use resources and activities to challenge misconceptions at workplace, start conversations and change attitudes around mental health.
Mental Health Training (Rethink Mental Illness)	Free Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health in the Workplace and Mental Health Awareness training are all available to organisations based in Islington.
Mental Health At Work	The Mental Health at Work website provides resources, tools, advice and recommendations on supporting good mental health in the workplace.
Mind- Mental health at work	Resources available to help you take small, simple steps to make your workplace mentally healthier.

Mental Health Training Courses

There are range of free training courses which can empower you to support yourself & your loved ones. Our courses do not turn people into expert counsellors, but give people valuable tools to help someone in the first instance and are about taking an opportunity to have valuable conversations and to point people to support available.

Rethink	Free mental health training for those who live, work, study or volunteer in the London Borough of Islington. These include Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Awareness and Managing Suicidal Conversations training. Mental Health First Aid Training in the workplace is also available for organisations based in Islington.
Psychological First Aid Training	An online course, developed by Public Health England (PHE), It offers training on how to provide practical and emotional support to children and young people affected by emergencies or crisis situations.
Zero Suicide Alliance Training	ZSA offers range of short but effective training on suicide prevention & awareness.
Samaritans	Suicide prevention training in Camden and Islington
Public Health	Training that aims to increase awareness, knowledge and skills across Islington around issues that our residents are facing.

Be Active and events

Islington parks	Getting out into nature can be a great way of improving your mental health and Islington has some wonderful green spaces to explore.
Try a sport	Many of our parks have sports facilities that are free to use.
Volunteering	Volunteering can be a great way to meet people and improve the way you're feeling.
One Islington	Get active advice from Public Health in Islington

Events

There are a number of places and organisations that offer regular events where you can meet people and socialise.

Age UK Islington	Age UK Islington has lots of 'Get Together' activities in Islington for people to meet-up and chat (online and in-person)
Manor Gardens	Manor Gardens’ Services provide support and information for people with drop-in events during the week are open to everyone.
Healthy Generations	Live open air exercise classes in Islington Parks
Caledonian Park	Events at Caledonian Park
Islington Parks	Activities in Islington parks

Financial Support

Cost of Living support	Depending on your situation, you can get advice to help with your budget, finance and debt matters.
Need help	If you need support, for example, if you are struggling financially or if you are feeling lonely, call for a friendly chat or for helpful information.The helpline is available every day, from 9am to 5pm for Islington residents. You can call on 020 7527 8222.Employment support
Support finding work	Support to help you improve your future employment prospects.

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