Doctors in north east London are voicing concerns about the ongoing mental health impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and emphasising the importance of seeking help if you need it.
Covid-19 has affected people’s mental wellbeing in many different ways including through bereavements, work and money worries, isolation, strain on relationships and anxiety around catching the virus. It has affected people of all ages, from all communities.
The pandemic is not over and A&E and ambulance services across north east London remain under immense pressure. However, there are specialist mental health services available all day, every day – including bank holidays – for those who need urgent help.
If you need urgent support or advice because you are feeling overwhelmed, have out of control thoughts or are worried you might harm yourself or someone else, you should call an NHS crisis line immediately. These are free, open 24/7, and available to adults, children and young people. You will speak to experienced staff who can help you.
If you are concerned about someone you know please encourage them to call. While it’s preferable for them to call themselves, you can also call on their behalf.
The crisis line for each borough and the City of London can be found here and as follows:
- Hackney – 0800 073 0006
- City of London – 0800 073 0006
- Newham – 0800 073 0066
- Tower Hamlets – 0800 073 0003
- Waltham Forest – 0800 995 1000
- Barking and Dagenham – 0800 995 1000
- Havering – 0800 995 1000
- Redbridge – 0800 995 1000
Dr Alia Hussain, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead at East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), said: “We are living through one of the biggest mental health crises we have ever seen, and it’s affecting young and old people alike.
“The mental health crisis lines have qualified and experienced staff who are available every day of the year, 24 hours a day to help. The earlier someone seeks help from a mental health specialist, the more likely it is they can make a full recovery.”
If you are stressed, worried, or feeling down, you can access the local adult mental health service called Talking Therapies (Talk Changes in City of London and Hackney), without having to contact your doctor.
Alternatively, if you want to discuss your mental health concerns, you can always speak to your GP, who can offer advice and direct you to the best support for you.
Melody William, Integrated Care Director from North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT), said: “Anyone is free to access Talking Therapies where you will be seen and treated by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression. You can be referred by your GP or refer yourself. You don’t need a diagnosed condition to do this.
“Getting support as soon as you start having difficulties can help to reduce their impact and we know many of the issues we treat have been made worse by the pandemic – like fear of social situations, worrying, obsessive thoughts, stress and panic attacks. If you are affected by any of these, please get in touch.”
Details of other mental health self-support services can be found here, and include:
- The Good Thinking website, which features resources to help tackle sleep, anxiety, stress and depression.
- Every Mind Matters which has resources on the little things we can all do to help look after our mental health.
- Sleepio – a clinically evidenced sleep improvement programme that uses cognitive behavioural techniques to help improve poor sleep.
- Daylight which provides help to people experiencing symptoms of worry and anxiety, using evidence-based cognitive behavioural techniques.
- Mental health charity, Mind, which has a range of useful information and resources.
- Thrive LDN which has developed a 20-minute training video on emotional resilience
- Information on specific support for children and young people can be found here.
Your route to urgent help this bank holiday
If you find yourself needing general medical assistance over the bank holiday weekend, there are multiple options available to you, including visiting your local pharmacy for advice, booking an out of hours appointment with a GP, or contacting NHS 111. For more information, watch the Your Route to Urgent Help video.
Bank Holidays can affect the opening hours of local pharmacies. You can check their opening hours by searching at www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy
