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Easter service changes

During the Easter period, some of our services will be operating slightly different hours. Our council’s bin collection schedule will change for one week starting on Friday 29 March to make sure everyone’s waste is picked up around the bank holiday.

See the full schedule and your amended rubbish and recycling collection dates and other service changes including parking and library opening times over the Easter period.

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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

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 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 buddy 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 
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 Helps 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's Aid 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 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  There is a wide of sport and physical activity in Islington that is free or low cost.
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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