Mental health support

• the local 24-hour mental health crisis helpline is available 365 days a year for all ages. Call NHS 111 and select option 2. If you need an interpreter, ask the call handler during your call.
• City and Hackney Walk-in Crisis Café, 6pm-9pm Monday to Friday, and noon-4pm on Saturday and Sundays. Offers a welcome cuppa and a safe, supportive place for anyone struggling and not coping with life. 
  • The Raybould Centre, City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health, Homerton Row, London, E9 6SR
  • Call 073937 62366
• Talk to Samaritans. Available 24/7, 365 days a year.  Call 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org. Face to face walk in, 9am to 9pm: 46 Marshall Street, London, W1F 9BF 
• Text Shout, a 24/7, a UK crisis text service. Text the word ‘SHOUT’ to ‘85258’. Watch their video: shout 85258 – sometimes it’s easier to text

• Good Thinking – free digital mental health resources, including evidenced based apps, clinically validated self-assessments, podcasts & videos and printable/downloadable workbooks.  It covers issues such as low mood, sleep, anxiety and stress.
• Every Mind Matters provides simple tips and advice to start taking better care of your mental health
• The NHS mental health and wellbeing advice website includes information on mental health issues, self-assessment, audio guides and practical tools
• The 5 steps to mental wellbeing are simple actions everyone can take each day to improve mental wellbeing. They are: 
  • connect, 
  • keep learning 
  • give
  • take notice 
  • be active
• The mental health charity Mind offer information and support

• Talk Changes – free NHS talking therapies for common mental health problems,such as low mood, stress and anxiety. To arrange a telephone assessment, complete the referral form. Most people receive an initial telephone assessment within 2 weeks.  You can also call the service on 020 7683 4278.
• City and Hackney Wellbeing Network – free, whole-person care for people with complex mental health problems, for example where poor mental health combines with other challenges, such as debt, unemployment, relationship issues, substance use and others.  The network is run by a partnership of local voluntary services and offers a range of high quality groups, courses, individual sessions and therapeutic support.  Each person receives a personalised support plan, based on the individual needs. Tel: 020 8525 2301/ Email: wellbeingnetwork@cityandhackneymind.org.uk.
• Your GP – for mental health support advice, treatment and referrals to specialist mental health services. If you’re not registered with a GP you can find one on NHS UK.
• Service User Network (SUN) – peer to peer support network for people who experience emotional and psychological distress, frequent mood changes, emotional instability, self-harm and/ or have thoughts of suicide.  The Network can also support family, friends and people who support someone with mental health issues  To find out more, contact the SUN on 07508 842 688

There are several organisations in Hackney, known as the CAMHS Alliance, which provide mental health support for children and young people, depending on their age, their needs and their circumstances, including:   

• • NHS psychology services for children and young people 
  • Behavioural and emotional support 
  • Counselling, therapy, advocacy, advice and psychosocial
  • Specialist NHS child and adolescent mental health service for children with disabilities and emotional/behavioural and mental health concerns
  • Practical, emotional and financial support to those over the age of 16 who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation

More information on services and how to make a referral is available by following the link above.  You can also call 020 7014 7079 if you have questions about a potential referral.

• Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional well-being support service for young people aged 11-19 years in City and Hackney. Kooth has no referrals or waiting lists and young people can access it anonymously. It’s open 365 days a year from noon to 10pm weekdays and from 6 to 10pm on Saturday and Sundays.
• better u: a supportive platform created by young people in which the user can manage their well-being, reflect upon their emotional resilience and access various types of support

• Hackney Chinese Community Services: Mental health support groups and one to one support for members of the Chinese community with mental health needs
• Taraki: work with Punjabi communities to improve access to mental health awareness, education, social supports, and research 
• Bangladeshi Mental Health Forum: raising awareness of mental health and providing support within the Bangladeshi community 
• Irish Elders: combating poverty, isolation and distress amongst the local elderly Irish population
• Derman: talking therapies for the Turkish-speaking community. Services@derman.org.uk / 020 7613 5944
• Dey-Mer: Turkish and Kurdish Community Centre 
• Bikur Cholim: emotional and practical support and services for the Charedi community: ehreferrals@bikurcholim.co.uk / 020 8800 7575
• Chizuk: Groups, therapy, family support, befriending and advocacy for Orthodox Jewish community with learning disability and families experiencing mental ill health
• Talking Matters Wellbeing Centre: Provides counselling and preventive wellbeing interventions for Orthodox Jewish community
• Chatworks: A dedicated space to support individuals, families and long-standing members of the African/Caribbean and Dual Heritage communities to break down barriers, engage, discuss and improve their mental health and wellbeing
• Coffee Afrik CIC: Somali crisis cafe and wellbeing support  
• IRIE Mind: championing Black mental health and providing community-based solutions to mental illness
• Support When It Matters: a community interest company that empowers ACH communities in Hackney to improve their health, well-being and life chances.

• Hackney Migrant Centre: Drop in advice, specific welfare advice and support for ‘Moving out of Hardship’ for migrants
• JAMI (Kadimah Centre for Wellbeing): Low-level therapy for people from Jewish community with mild mental health needs
• Ourmala: Yoga and support groups for refugees
• The British Red Cross is offering help with the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants.

• Thrive London and Doctors of the World have created some tools and tips to support Londoners’ mental health and wellbeing in 36 languages.
• The Red Cross also offers a number of translated wellbeing resources
• CAMH have translated information on where to ask for help with mental health and related information. 
• Doctors of the World offer translated resources for keeping young people healthy, including one on taking care of emotional wellbeing
• Good Thinking has information on the five ways to good mental wellbeing & Islam in English, Bengali, Gujarati, Urdu, Hindi, Somali, Arabic, Pashto, Dari and Coping with trauma in  Pashto and Dari

• East London Out Project: Counselling offered to individuals from LGBT community
• Rainbow Mind champions LGBTQ+ mental health and provides a safe and non-judgmental environment to connect with others and explore your feelings
• The LGBT Foundation’s helpline is open for those who are feeling alone, isolated or concerned
• AKT supports young LGBTQ+ people aged 16-25 in the UK who are experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile or abusive environment.

• Safe Connections: there are five elements to this North East London suicide prevention service

• • Safe Connections App: to find the right support to meet your needs
  • Community hubs: supporting people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts to access the right service at the right time.
  • Community protectors: trained local residents who can offer support to their communities and offer near-by support for people feeling suicidal
  • Bereavement services: offering specialist support for those bereaved following a suicide
  • Training for professionals: delivering a tailored programme for health and care professionals to help them provide timely suicide interventions

• James’ Place: free confidential support for men in suicidal crisis in Hackney
• Body and Soul: offer support for young people and adults who have attempted suicide 
• The Zero Suicide Alliance offer a 20 minute free, self-guided, evidence based Suicide Awarenes Training,  This will help you to spot suicide warning signs, have a conversation with someone you’re worried about and where to signpost to for further support.
• Papyrus: suicide prevention charity for young people
• If you have witnessed a suicide, Support After Suicide and First Hand have some tips and advice that may be helpful for you 
• Harmless: support self-harm and suicide prevention and offer a range of resources  around self-harm that can either develop awareness and understanding, or act as a source of help and support for people.
• Alumina:  free online support for self-harm for 11-19 year olds, as well as information for parents and professionals.
• The Listening Place is somewhere individuals can talk openly about their feelings without being judged or being given advice.

The different organisations all have their own specialisation and access criteria. Some of the services offered are free and there’s a cost for others.

• Arcola: Therapeutic theatre group for individuals with mental health needs
• Beat: for detailed guidance about managing your eating disorder during the coronavirus outbreak, visit the  . 
• Centre for Better Health: Low cost counselling service
• City and Hackney Carers Centre: Support advocacy and wellbeing for carers
• Connect Hackney (HCVS): Lottery funded social activities for over 50s
• Hawa Trust: Emotional support groups for victims of FGM and women with HIV
• Hoxton Trust: A community health and wellbeing, gardening and food growing project.
• IMECE Women’s Centre: Advocacy, support and counselling for women who are victims of violence
• Mind: An independent mental health charity providing support for local people
• MRS Independent Living: Hackney Healthy Mindfulness provide mindfulness, healthy eating, computer skills and social groups
• Round Chapel: A vibrant church and community centre in Hackney 
• Roundabout Drama therapy: Drama therapy for individuals with mental health needs including severe enduring mental illness
• Sarah Agnes Foundation: Counselling for young people provided through Pembury Centre
• Shoreditch Community Project: Advice, practical support and information to people who are homeless, experience substance misuse and people with a history of mental ill health
• Social Action for Health: Part of Hackney Information and Advice Consortium, one to one advice on welfare provided through GP practices
• St Mary’s Garden: Ecotherapy service for people with mental health needs
• Studio Upstairs: Creative recovery service for individuals with severe enduring mental illness

• Alcohol and drugs – our alcohol support and drug support pages advise how to get support if you or somebody you know are affected by alcohol or drug use
• Bereavement – our bereavement support page includes information and support available in relation to bereavement 
• Carers – our carers page includes information and support for carers in Hackney
• Domestic abuse –
  • our domestic abuse support page includes information for people experiencing domestic abuse
  • domestic violence and sexual abuse counselling provide counselling for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse
• Education and training –

• • Education Hackney has information on quality learning and employment opportunities in and around Hackney
  • City and Hackney Recovery College – offers courses, such as photography, creative fashion, cross stitch and understanding relationships, to support people to learn new skills and to connect with others to empower them as a means to improving their wellbeing.  To enrol, please contact the college via telephone (0208 525 4480/4487) or email (elft.cityandhackneyrc@nhs.net)

• Employment –

• • We provide a free employment support service that can provide support whether you are looking for work, have been out of work for a while, are looking to progress your career or just need some advice.  It also offers specialist support, including for people with mental or physical health conditions.
  • Able Futures offer free help to employees and employers who are facing challenges with mental health at work. This is part of the access to work mental health support service delivered on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions

• Healthy eating – our cooking classes page lists free cooking courses  in Hackney
• Housing – Visit housing options and advice for more information. Shelter also offers advice for individuals and families who are homeless
• Money and the cost of living – our help with the rising cost of living page contains information on help available with the rising cost of living 
• Physical activity and exercise – these pages contain lots of information and opportunities on getting active 
  • parks and green spaces
  • fitness classes
  • exercise for over 50s
  • sport for young people
  • running groups
  • walking groups
• Physical disabilities – our disability page has information on the disability act, as well as information and support for physical disabilities
• Sexual health – our sexual health page has information on sexual health and local support available  
• Smoking – SmokeFree City & Hackney has information on stopping smoking and local support 
• Social interaction – 
  • The being sociable page includes opportunities for engaging with your local community.  
  • Volunteer Centre Hackney offers a volunteer befriending service.
  • The Campaign to End Loneliness has advice and tips for dealing with isolation and loneliness.
  • The Cares Family aims to reduce loneliness, isolation and disconnection by bringing older and younger people together
  • The Befriending Network has a directory of services in the UK.

Autism is a lifelong difference in how people think, perceive the world and interact with others. An autistic person may see, hear, feel and experience the world differently from non-autistic people.  Autistic people are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population.  See autism for more information on autism and the support available.

Mental health problems are more common among people with a learning disability but are often overlooked, underdiagnosed and left untreated as a result of poor understanding, awareness, evidence in this area and symptoms being mistakenly attributed to the person’s learning disability.  See help for people with learning disabilities for more information on support available for people with learning disabilities.