Mental health support in Camden
Accessing mental health support
If you’re feeling anxious and/or worried about your mental health, call your GP. If you prefer, you can find help on the iCope website where there is a page with suggestions on how to keep as psychologically well as possible. iCope also offers a range of mental health services and support, including intercultural therapy in a number of languages.
Thrive LDN have created a list of six things you can do to keep yourself well. These are also available in 27 different languages.
You can also have a look at our wellbeing leaflet, which includes a range of things you can do to look after yourself, and support that's available right now. The wellbeing leaflet has been translated into the following languages:
Camden Council has worked with community partners to develop some voice messages to raise awareness on the five ways to wellbeing and how to access mental health support as we learn to live with COVID-19. Listen, download and share these messages in Arabic, Bengali, Somali and Turkish.
5 Ways to wellbeing
Arabic voice message
Arabic transcript
English transcript
Bengali voice message
Bengali transcript
English transcript
Somali voice message
Somali transcript
English transcript
Turkish voice message
Turkish transcript
English transcript
Easing of lockdown rules
Arabic voice message
Arabic transcript
English transcript
Bengali voice message
Bengali transcript
English transcript
Somali voice message
Somali transcript
English transcript
Turkish voice message
Turkish transcript
English transcript
Mental health support for young people
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. Young people who live in Camden can sign up now for confidential support through a text-based conversation with a qualified counsellor.
Young people of all ages can also access support from Childline, which has created a dedicated page with information for children and young people about coronavirus. The page includes information about: what coronavirus is, where children and young people can find help if they are worried, coping if they are staying at home and what to do if they are feeling unwell. Alternatively, young people can speak to a Childline counsellor online or by calling 0800 1111.
For further information or advice, this blog, published on the Camden Rise website, brings together the best resources to help young people stay happy and healthy during the coronavirus emergency.
Getting help if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis
The word “crisis” can be used to describe many different situations. In mental health, the term “crisis” usually suggests that someone may need urgent help to support them with mental health problems. For example, you might have feelings or experiences that feel very painful or difficult to manage such as suicidal feelings, self-harm, panic attacks, flashbacks, hypomania or mania, or psychosis (such as paranoia or hearing voices). You might also have other experiences that aren't mentioned here.
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical health emergency. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and you don’t feel like you can keep yourself safe right now, seek urgent specialist mental health support through one of the following routes:
1. Phone the 24-hour crisis line on 020 3317 6333 to access specialist support.
- You may be directed to attend the Mental Health Crisis Assessment Centre at St Pancras Hospital, which is providing an alternative to people in mental health crisis needing to attend A&E departments.
- You may be supported further by the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment service.
2. If it is an emergency and cannot wait, you should call 999
You can also contact your local GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment. You don’t need to be registered as a patient already.
3. Camden Crisis Sanctuary offers face-to-face, telephone, and online support to Camden residents every evening and weekend (5pm to 1030 pm) who require immediate support with their mental health in a non-clinical, community setting. No referral is required. Please click here for more information. You may also call 07825 165 464 between 5pm and 11pm, or leave a message for staff to call you back.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, you can also:
- Call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 – they're always open and are there to listen. You can also send an email to jo@samaritans.org and can expect a response within 24 hours.
- The Stay Alive App can be used to help manage suicidal thoughts. It provides information and tools to help you stay safe in a crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. It is available for free download on all smart phones here
NCL Support after Suicide Service (rething.org)
The service is to support people bereaved or affected by suicide who live, work or study in Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield or Haringey and for people who live outside of the boroughs but are affected by a suicide which occurred within these 5 boroughs.
The service provides:
- 121 Person-centred emotional and practical support at the time that is right for you.
- Bereavement Peer Support Groups - a safe/supportive space to explore and share your experiences with others
To find out more about the service, or to make a referral for yourself or someone else - please contact supportaftersuicide@rethink.org or call 07483 368 700.
Visit the website for more information.
Mental health organisations
Below is a list of local and national mental health organisations that you can visit to find out more information for you or someone you know who is experiencing a mental health problem:
- Mind in Camden: Coronavirus and your wellbeing
- Camden iCope: COVID-19 useful advice and suggestions
- Talk for Health: Join online talking groups to suppot your wellbeing
- Age UK Camden: Feeling anxious about coronavirus
- Young Minds: What do if you’re anxious about coronavirus
- Mental Health Camden: Coronavirus and your wellbeing
- Mental Health Foundation: Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
- Mental Health Foundation: Getting help
- Good Thinking: This is an NHS-approved digital mental wellbeing self-assessment tool that provides personalised recommendations
- Camden Rise: Useful resources to help young people to stay connected, healthy and safe
- Shout is the UK's first 24/7 text service for anyone feeling anxious, worried, isolated, lonely or for anyone needing support. Text Shout to 85258 to start a conversation - it is a free service.