The Covid-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on many people's mental health, but help is available. South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) have rounded up some of the ways in which those impacted can get both information and support.

Call South West London and St George’s 24/7 Mental Health Support Line on 0800 028 8000, which offers emotional support and advice to adults affected by urgent mental health issues, at any time of the day or night.

For a child, young person, or a parent / carer concerned about a young person’s mental health, contact the South London Partnership’s CAMHS Crisis Line on 0203 228 5980, Monday to Friday 5pm – 11pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays 9am – 11pm.

Talk Wandsworth offer access to a range of talking therapies for people with common mental health problems and everyday challenges. 

Wandsworth Council offers mental health support and advice here.

If you have an urgent but non life-threatening need, you can also make direct appointments with specialised mental health crisis services in London by calling 111 or using the NHS 111 online service at 111.nhs.uk

You can find more information on resources and support available via Hub of Hope, the UK’s go-to mental health support signposting tool. With more than 1,800 local, regional, grassroots and national services currently listed, Hub of Hope can help people to find the most relevant and readily available support nearby. It also includes a “Get Help Now” function which allows you to talk directly to Samaritans or access text message support via their Crisis Text line.

There’s a lot of additional support for young people who are experiencing problems with their mental health:

• Headscape, SWLSTG's online webpages at headscape-swlondon.nhs.uk
• Kooth for young people aged 11 to 21. The service offers safe, free and anonymous support through a range of options from self-help articles and forums to chats with professional online counsellors. Visit kooth.com

Other helpful numbers are:

Childline 0800 1111 – calls are free and confidential.

HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141

Samaritans 116 123

Young Minds Crisis Messenger provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK mental health crisis - if you need urgent help, text YM to 85258

If there’s a service that you’d like us to add to this list, please email us at info@localnewsie.co.uk