10 October 2025

World Mental Health Day takes place every 10 October annually. This year, the theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies. The theme emphasises the need for access to mental health services in times of global instability.

With the presence of smartphones and social media, we have 24/7 access to news across the world. While this useful for keeping us informed, this means that the information available to us is unlimited. Additionally, it keeps us feeling like the world is constantly going through some sort of crisis and bad news is everywhere that we look. Constant exposure to the news can make us feel overwhelmed.

The impact of overwhelm can appear physically such as aches and pains emotionally such as feeling despair and sadness and mentally such constantly worrying and low motivation. To curb the effects of overwhelm, here some are practical steps you can take:

  • Have phone-free time
  • Use grounding exercises – practice mindfulness or go for a walk in nature to help you stay in the present moment
  • Set boundaries with the news – choose the times you’d watch the news or read an article.
  • Watch a video here on ‘doomscrolling’ and read how to reduce doomscrolling here.

Talking Therapies

At CNWL, we have our Talking Therapies support service available to the public. If you are experiencing stress at work or would like support to cope with difficulties and challenges in the workplace, Talking Therapies offer a free and confidential service to help you. You can start a referral here.

Carers and families

Carers and families must be recognised and supported during this year’s World Mental Health Day. The theme ensures they have access to relevant help and support in times of crisis. We’ve created a short leaflet that brings together trusted CNWL services and national organisations, so carers don’t have to search for support when they need it most. You can view it here.

"Listen to carers - carers need to feel heard!" - Veronica Kamerling, Carer, Expert by Experience.

"With support you will get through this - you are not alone." - Ann Smith, Carer, Expert by Experience, Chair of CNWL's Carers' Council. 

Our services available for adults and children

Here are some of our services available for adults and children (view the full list here)

Single Point of Access (SpA)

The Single Point of Access is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You can call us on 0800 0234 650 or email cnw-tr.spa@nhs.net

Visit here: Single Point of Access :: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS)

The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) offers a calm and therapeutic mental health setting to treat the majority of emergency mental health presentations.

We see and assess anyone over 18 years old that would otherwise go to an emergency department for mental health reasons and does not have an urgent medical need (for example, an overdose of medication).

Visit here: Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) :: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Children and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) provides mental and emotional health services for children under 13 years old and young people aged 13 to 18. Our teams can help children, young people and families get the support they need.

We have six teams based across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon and Milton Keynes and two inpatient care teams.

Visit: CNWL Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) service

Useful websites and apps

CAMHS has created a list of apps and websites, which are some of the favourites pointed out by our young people. This includes Moodjuice, CalmHarm and BlueIce.

Visit: www.cnwl.nhs.uk/camhs/your-resources/apps-and-websites

Get help with health topics

You can see websites related to specific mental health conditions such as feelings, bullying, identity and relationships within our health topic pages.

Visit: www.cnwl.nhs.uk/camhs/your-resources/health-topics

Young Adult (16-25) mental health support

Everyone is different, so the help they need will be different too. Good mental health allows us to live life in a positive and meaningful way. It helps us to work or study to our full potential, and cope with day-to-day life stresses.

Here is a range of services to support you on your wellbeing journey:

Young Adults (16 – 25s) Mental Health and Wellbeing Space

The Coves

The Coves is a daily drop-in support service for people aged 16 and up who are experiencing mental distress. The service is open between 2pm and 10pm, every day of the year.

They offer a friendly, safe and welcoming space to receive emotional support and discuss coping strategies to help young people in the future. They aim to help young adults reduce their immediate worries and provide them with information of local services and resources that will also be able to help them moving forward.

The Cove has sites for residents of Hillingdon, Brent, Harrow, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster. www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/coves  

In this video, you’ll hear from a young person who has visited the Cove, who tells you more about what to expect.

You can find additional NHS mental health resources here.

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