Posted on: 6 October 2021
10 October is World Mental Health Day.
This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.
Many people with mental health difficulties continue to experience stigma and discrimination. We all have a role to play to address these disparities.
The Covid-19 pandemic will continue to affect people in many ways: through illness, sometimes resulting in death and bereavement; through the economic impact; and with the physical distancing that can lead to social isolation.
The past year has been difficult for us all. You may be experiencing low mood, anxiety, stress, insomnia, or concerns about Covid.
If you are struggling, support is available at CNWL. Don’t be afraid to reach out.
If you are over 18 and live in London or Milton Keynes you can access CNWL’s Talking Therapies Services at talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk
They’re running regular webinars too. See this link to book mktalkingtherapies.nhs.uk/blmk-events
You can self-refer to the service or be referred by your GP or another healthcare professional.
Outside of these areas visit www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service and enter your postcode to find your nearest IAPT service. If you are under 18 or a parent/carer and you are concerned about your child, we run services for children and young people here www.cnwl.nhs.uk/camhs
Talking Therapies services can support with common mental health problems, like anxiety and depression. They offer talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, and guided self-help.
If you work in health and social care, the Keeping Well Services can also support you.
Keeping Well provides a safe space for staff, who may be struggling with the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic or other stressful or upsetting situations, to talk to trained professionals about their feelings and their wellbeing needs.
All NHS staff and those working in care/residential homes in North West London, plus all London Ambulance Service staff, can access Keeping Well NWL. North West London is defined as Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster.
Visit www.keepingwellnwl.nhs.uk
For staff employed or sub-contracted by the NHS or local authorities in Bedford, Luton or Milton Keynes, Keeping Well BLMK is available. It is also open to anyone working in nursing homes and care homes, carers who visit people in their own homes, carers who are paid via personal health budgets, teachers and people working in emergency services, such as the police, ambulance service and fire brigade.
Keeping Well BLMK is a partnership between the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Services provided by CNWL, Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service and Luton Total Wellbeing Service.