Below are some useful websites:
Shout – The UK’s first free, confidential 24/7 text messaging service for anyone struggling to cope. For people who are sad, worried, lonely or suicidal and who need urgent, in-the-moment support: giveusashout.org – upon Leanne’s suggestion although apparently they seem swamped atm and may take several hours to reply to messages.
Young Minds – The UK’s leading charity fighting for a world where no person feels alone with their mental health. Information and support charity for young people in difficult situations, diagnosed with mental illnesses, facing issues around identity or neurodiverse young people: youngminds.org.uk - another one of Leanne’s suggestions.
Step Forward – Free and confidential services for all young people aged 11-25, living in and around Tower Hamlets, East London. Support services for young people facing disadvantage, helping with wellbeing, sexual health, personal development, LGBTQ+ and mental health issues: step-forward.org
Docklands Outreach – A health and preventative support agency providing practical and therapeutic support to children and young adults living in Tower Hamlets, on a range of emotional and mental health difficulties such as low mood, depression, self-harm and issue arising from racism, family difficulties identity, culture and alcohol and substance misuse. Offer counselling, psychotherapy, CBT, parenting support, community connectors, workshops, discussion groups and street and community outreach: dockout.org.uk
Crossroads Counselling – Small independent Christian faith-based charity based in Roman Rd, Bethnal Green committed to providing low-cost, long-term professional counselling for people on low incomes. Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: crossroadscounselling.org
Tower Hamlets Connect – Information and advice services on health and social care, local events and community services across the borough. Help with claiming benefits, employment and careers, wellness and legal matters: towerhamletsconnect.org
Spotlight – Offer peer support, advice and guidance for young people displaying early signs and symptoms of poor mental health, delivered through a variety of 1:1s, drop-in sessions and group workshops: wearespotlight.com/mentalhealth
Mind Tower Hamlets Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service – Advocacy services to help people with mental health conditions explore their treatment options, help make informed decisions, resolve issues with their care, help in understanding their rights under the MHA, support people to prepare for a Care Act assessment and support people in CPA meetings and tribunals: mindthnr.org.uk/our-services/advocacy/tower-hamlets-independent-mental-health-advocacy
Student Minds - Information and support for students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change: studentminds.org.uk
Muslim Youth Helpline – Faith and culturally sensitive support by phone, live chat, WhatsApp, or email. Offer non-judgemental, confidential support 7 days a week, 365 days a year including bank holidays and Eid: myh.org.uk
Kooth – A judgement-free forum to get advice, help others and share your story. Also offer free, anonymous 1:1 support from mental health professionals via live chat or messaging, accredited by British Association of Counselling and Psychology: kooth.com
The Together Café - A community-based space for adults (aged 18+) living in Tower Hamlets who are struggling with a developing mental health crisis. The cafe is open for service users to drop-in with no referral process necessary. Aims to provides a viable alternative to attending A&E out of hours. Service users are supported through 1:1 sessions with peer support workers, recovery workers and mental health professional as well as access to other activities: towerhamletstogether.com/the-together-cafe
Tower Hamlets Recovery College - An NHS service that runs free educational workshops and courses. These are designed and delivered by people who have lived experience of mental health challenges, together with people who work in mental health services. Courses offered on life skills, building academic and employment skills, understanding mental health diagnoses, self-discovery, art for recovery, gardening, Islam and recovery and LGBTQ+ issues: thrc.studioreception.net
Raphael’s Room – Charity crating real change for children in care through the arts and education. Humanising care leavers and their stories and rewriting narratives for young people with care experience. Providing new experiences to equip children in care with aspiration, inspiration and motivation, whilst also providing care experienced young people with a safe, non-judgmental space to learn and grow: newhamco-create.co.uk/ideas/raphael-s-room
Bipolar UK - supporting people with bipolar disorder.
Emergence - Emergence is a service user-led organisation supporting all people affected by personality disorder including service users, carers, family and friends and professionals.
The ELFT THEDS YouTube Channel - Interviews with Service Users who talk about their recovery experience, November 2020.
Intrusive Thoughts - This project is inspired by the brave community of OCD sufferers who shared stories online through YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, message forums, publications and beyond.
Maytree - Maytree is a registered charity supporting people in suicidal crisis in a non-medical setting. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from a one-off stay in a safe and confidential space, please call us today on 020 7263 7070 or email maytree@maytree.org.uk.
Mental Health & Debt - No debt problems are unsolvable. It might not be easy or quick, but there's always a route. When mental health problems are involved, some special solutions apply.
Mind - provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Papyrus - We are the national charity for the prevention of young suicide.
Royal College of Psychiatrists - improving lives of people with mental illnesses.
Sane - work to improve quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness.
STEM4 - STEM4 is a charity aimed at improving teenage mental health by stemming commonly occurring mental health issues at an early stage. STEM4 is special because we focus on early awareness and intervention target four specific areas of mental health; Eating Disorders, Depression and anxiety, Self Harm & Addiction.
TheMix - The Mix is here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts that people under 25 have in order to give them the best support through our digital and phone services.
Time to Change - Mental health problems are common - but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This can be even worse than the symptoms themselves. Time to Change is England's biggest program to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.