Mental health support and advice
Includes information about mental health and some of the resources and organisations that can help you.
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.
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 at the end of furlough and in Arabic, Bengali, Somali and Turkish.
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.
Please find more information about the Islington Mental Health Crisis team. - 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 good mental health & wellbeing
| We Are Islington | If you need support, for example, if you are self-isolating, 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. |
| 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. |
| Every mind matters | Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing from the NHS. |
| 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. |
| James' Place Charity for Men | Suicide prevention for me |
| Reading List about mental health | A mental health reading list compiled by Islington Library Services |
| Reading well for mental health | A list of book for reading well for mental health. |
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. |
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. |
Be Active
| 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. |
| Volunteering can be a great way to meet people and improve the way you're feeling. | |
| Try a sport |
Many of our parks have sports facilities that are free to use. |
| Organised sport | There are many leisure centres and clubs where you can access sport and physical activity in Islington |
Financial Support
| Money and debt advice | 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 |