Support following an upsetting event
Following an upsetting event, it is common for people to experience a range of feelings. No matter who you are or what your age, if you have been through an upsetting event, you might find it hard to talk about how you feel - or you might feel an urge to express your feelings to others. We won’t all be affected in the same way.
It is normal for an upsetting event to impact our happiness and resilience. Whether in the short- or long-term, if you experience some of these negative effects, there are a range of sources of support for both adults and children.
Support in Wandsworth
For residents affected by yesterday's fire in Battersea, support local to Wandsworth includes:
- Wandsworth Recovery Café
- This provides a calm, non-judgmental spaces with trained staff to talk to, help finding further support, and a place to feel safe.
- Opening hours are Monday to Friday 6pm-11pm, Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 12noon-11pm. The Café's address is 966 Garratt Lane, SW17 0ND, and you can contact the team at recoverycafe@hestia.org or by calling 07794 394 920.
- Wandsworth Talking Therapies
- Self-refer, contact our friendly administrative team on 0203 513 6264, or email us at Wandsworth.TalkingTherapies@swlstg.nhs.uk The phonelines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
- Self-refer, contact our friendly administrative team on 0203 513 6264, or email us at Wandsworth.TalkingTherapies@swlstg.nhs.uk The phonelines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
- Our Mental Health Crisis Line
- If you live in Battersea and you need urgent support, call our Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 028 8000. You can also access urgent mental health support by calling 111 and choosing the mental health option.
- If you live in Battersea and you need urgent support, call our Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 028 8000. You can also access urgent mental health support by calling 111 and choosing the mental health option.
- And our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Crisis Line
- If you are a child or young person, or a parent/carer concerned about a young person’s mental health, you can contact the South London Partnership CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Crisis Line on 0203 228 5980. The line is open every day from 9am to 11pm.
- If you are a child or young person, or a parent/carer concerned about a young person’s mental health, you can contact the South London Partnership CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Crisis Line on 0203 228 5980. The line is open every day from 9am to 11pm.
Further resources and organisations providing support
- The charity Mind has published information on trauma as well as where to find peer support
- The NHS website Every Mind Matters has published information on traumatic events and mental health as well as help if your sleep is affected
- The NHS website also has some helpful information on post traumatic stress disorder which can be caused by very stressful events, as well as a leaflet on coping with stress following a major incident
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published information on coping after a traumatic event
- Anxiety Canada offers resources and programmes to help people better understand and manage anxiety
- Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) offers self-help worksheets for a variety of mental health problems
- Shout! is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in who is struggling to cope.
Support for children and young people
- After the Event has a leaflet for parents about supporting children after a frightening event.
- Kooth offers an online support service for children and young people aged 11-25.
- The Anna Freud Centre has a useful resource, My Self Care Plan, which walks young people through a series of steps, helping them create a detailed self-care plan that works for them.
- Off the Record offer free counselling and mental health support to children and young people in Croydon, Merton and Sutton.
- Childline offers general emotional support
- How To Get Up And Go When You Are Feeling Low is a booklet to help children think about what helps them when they feel upset or stressed
- The Mix provides non-judgmental support and information for young people under 25 on a variety of issues including mental wellbeing, sex & relationships, bullying, exam stress, money, drugs, and self-harm. Crisis text service: Text THEMIX to 85258.
- YoungMinds offers information, support, and advice for children and young people on mental health, wellbeing, racism, and self-harm. YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: Text YM to 85258.
Find more information about the mental support available for you or someone you care about.
