Mental Health Awareness Week: Know who to turn to
Mental health problems are common – in fact 1 in 4 people in South West London will experience a mental health problem each year. Yet many people are unsure who to turn to if they, or someone they know, need support.
Our Trust provides care and treatment for a wide range of conditions – from common problems such as anxiety and depression, to phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), psychotic disorders including schizophrenia, and eating disorders.
This Mental Health Awareness Week we are raising awareness of the wide range of support available in South West London through our Know who to turn to campaign.
Trust Chief Executive, Vanessa Ford MBE, said: “We want everyone in South West London to know who to turn to for support – whether that’s urgent or non-urgent, for yourself or for someone else, and for whatever you might be going through. From Talking Therapies to our Recovery Cafés, support is available both for those in crisis and to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing in the community. Reaching out early can make a real difference.”
We are encouraging local people, healthcare partners, community leaders and organisations to get involved and raise awareness of mental health support services. The campaign’s Know who to turn to mental health signposting toolkit includes a range of printable and digital resources that anyone can use to get involved.
The campaign supports signposting to a range of services including:
Non-urgent support
- NHS Talking Therapies offer support for many different problems, such as low mood, stress and worries, depression (including postnatal depression), anxiety, phobias, and difficulties linked to long‑term health conditions. You can be referred by your GP or refer yourself online.
- People can access free mental health advice and tools through Every Mind Matters. Its digital Mind Plan tool provides a personalised action plan with practical, expert-backed tips to support wellbeing.
- And support is also available through voluntary and community sector organisations across South West London. A full list can be found in the Trust’s Know who to turn to in your community directory, which helps people find trusted services across Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth.
- If you are unsure what support you need and are concerned about your mental health, contacting your GP is a good place to start. The NHS website also provides a wide range of information and guidance.
And urgent support
- Anyone needing urgent mental health support can call NHS 111 and select option 2, or contact the South West London Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 028 8000. Both services are available 24/7. They are open to people who have not previously accessed mental health services, and to healthcare professionals seeking to refer someone in crisis.
- Free, walk-in Recovery Cafés (also know as crisis cafés) are available out of hours for adults struggling with their mental health or who feel they may be at risk of crisis. No referral or appointment is needed.
- Children and young people, as well as their parents and carers, can contact the South London CAMHS Crisis Line on 020 3228 5980. The phoneline is open every day from 9am to 11pm, 365 days a year. Children and young people over 16 can also access support online via Togetherall.
- People should call 999 or go to their local A&E if someone’s life is at risk – for example, risk of a medical emergency, serious injury or overdose, or if you have concerns about your physical health that require immediate medical attention.
