Mental Health and Wellbeing
Stage: Latest newsOur goal is that by 2025 London will have a quarter of a million wellbeing champions, supporting Londoners where they live, work and play.
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Discussions
The third edition of Great Mental Health Day is taking place on 26 January 2024.
It’s a chance to talk about mental health and the support available. Activities are happening all over the capital, including here on Talk London.
One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. And all of us will experience times when we feel low, worried or anxious.
The pandemic has made this worse for many Londoners. In a recent poll, 42% of Londoners said COVID-19 had affected their wellbeing (ONS, 21 January 2022). And poor mental health can be more common in communities that are already facing other challenges and inequalities.
Signs that you may be struggling with your mental health include:
- problems sleeping
- losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- being tearful, irritable or restless
- feeling tired
- changes in appetite
- negative thoughts and feelings.
Join the discussion
Great Mental Health Day is about celebrating the small things we can do to boost our own wellbeing and support each other through difficult times.
The Mayor supports Thrive LDN – a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners and led by the London Health Board.
For Great Mental Health Day, Thrive LDN wants to hear from you about your mental wellbeing.
- What do you do to improve your own mental health?
- What makes you feel connected to others?
- What do you do to support others in your community?
Let us know in the discussion below, co-moderated by Talk London and Thrive LDN. You can also comment on other members’ contributions or click the heart icon to show support.
Your contributions will help Thrive to promote mental wellbeing by sharing examples of Londoners' stories.
Looking after your mental health is important. These tips and tools can help keep you mentally well.
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What do you do to improve your mental health?
London’s Great Mental Health Day returns on Friday 26 January 2024. Share how you look after your own mental health and how you support others.
Discussion | Open
Timeline
How your feedback has started to shape London’s road to recovery
HappenedNovember 2020: Workshops with key partners from health, voluntary sectors, local authorities and community organisations
HappenedDecember 2020: Mental health and wellbeing impact assessments and action planning with London’s Strategic Coordination Group (SCG) – coordinated by Thrive LDN
HappenedFebruary 2021: Briefing our key partners and stakeholder across the health and care sector and developing our early engagement plans
HappenedMarch 2021: leadership and governance for the mission transferred to the Thrive LDN Advisory Group, working closely with the Leaders’ Group and Social Recovery Board
HappenedApril 2021: Thrive LDN led engagement with the mission’s Working Group to revisit the mission narrative, develop project options and to align expectations of our key London partners
HappenedThe Mayor launched a citywide public awareness campaign on bereavement to help direct Londoners to information, advice, and support to cope with their grief.
HappenedJune - July 2021: Thrive LDN worked in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care to deliver free, one-hour webinars on Bereavement and Loss Awareness, aimed at workers or volunteers supporting bereaved Londoners.
HappenedJuly 2021: Good Thinking started working with faith groups to support the development of further, culturally competent bereavement resources which will be available from the autumn
HappenedLaunch of new wellbeing resource pages on the Thrive LDN website, marking the start of the mission's Wellbeing Campaign
HappenedRenewed commitment to the #ZeroSuicideLondon campaign as we marked World Suicide Prevention Day
HappenedSeptember 2021: Continuation of a pan-London Wellbeing Campaign, focusing on protective factors. Meanwhile, wellbeing training offers for Londoners and those supporting them begun being rolled out
HappenedSeptember - October 2021: Delivery of a further five Bereavement and Loss Awareness webinars, taking the total to ten sessions
HappenedThrive LDN and the Mayor’s Peer Outreach Team host London’s World Mental Health Day festival, led by and for young Londoners.
HappenedOctober 2021: Engagement around the wellbeing champion concept and resources stepped up
HappenedNovember 2021: Ubele/BAMEStream trial bereavement training offers to support black Londoners
HappenedNovember 2021: All London boroughs offered free training for councillors supporting mentally healthier conditions for both themselves and the communities they serve via webinars by Thrive LDN
HappenedMarking National Grief Awareness Week, Good Thinking launched a workbook on how to support a bereaved person in a culturally sensitive way
HappenedWinter 2021: Research into existing 'community champions' networks, mapping what already exists in London and opportunities to engage with and support these champions with additional resources, tools and training
HappenedCelebrated London's first Great Mental Health Day, which aims to get us talking about mental health and how we can improve our wellbeing
HappenedSupported Children's Mental Health Week
HappenedThrive LDN hosted a roundtable on support for children and young people with bereavement and loss, attended by charity partners, policymakers, education sector staff and young Londoners with lived experience of loss
HappenedFebruary 2022: Good Thinking launch faith-based bereavement resources for Buddhism, Judaism and Islam
HappenedFebruary 2022: Ubele/BAMEStream hold immersive bereavement workshops for councillors, therapists, community workers and others supporting Londoners from Black or racialised communities experiencing grief, bereavement and loss
HappenedFebruary 2022: Launch of radical self-care training workshops by Thrive LDN in partnership with the Innovation Unit and Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest
HappenedFebruary 2022: projects for the Mayor’s Right to Thrive Innovation Fund underway
HappenedMarch 2022: Good Thinking launch faith-based bereavement resources for Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism
HappenedDiscussion stigma and barriers to bereavement support at the UK Commission on Bereavement Faith Roundtable
HappenedMarked the National Day of Reflection with the UK Commission on Bereavement
HappenedApril 2022: Launch of a short guide for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of displaced Ukrainians arriving to the UK
Happened9 - 18 May 2022: Marked Mental Health Awareness Week, including a Thrive LDN hosted panel on loneliness and the cost of living crisis
Happened16 - 22 May 2022: Celebrated Creativity and Wellbeing Week with a theme of 'get creative, get outdoors;
HappenedCelebrate Right to Thrive projects at event with KCL
HappenedHold workshop with champion groups to develop wellbeing champion programme and resources
HappenedWhat do you do to improve your mental health?
Happening nowLondoners have posted 119 comments
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Log into your accountnoisecontrol2021
Community Member 11 months agoGoing for a walk to the park is one way to improve your mental health.
One of the main contributors that can impact your mental health is stress. Your body is highly affected by lots of stress. Whilst you are zoning out and on a walk or...
Show full commentGoing for a walk to the park is one way to improve your mental health.
One of the main contributors that can impact your mental health is stress. Your body is highly affected by lots of stress. Whilst you are zoning out and on a walk or cycling, you can be caught offguard by vehicles sounding their horn aggressively and for no reason at all.
London is lawless at the moment and either the police, the council or both need to take action on those who are sounding their vehicle horn for no reason and issue an immediate penalty fine. This is not only antisocial behaivour, but is distressing to anyone else around as well as other road users.
The Highway Code clearly states you cannot sound your vehicle horn unless it's in the event of another person or road user causing an accident.
Vehicle owners should be prosecuted for noise and neighbourhood disturbances.
Severe noise has a huge impact on our daily lives.
Show less of commentBromeliad
Community Member 11 months agoI love to swim and London does still have a lot of places to swim. I never regret time spent going swimming, I always leave happy. I joined a local tennis and bowls club years ago and these activities keep me physically fit and because I...
Show full commentI love to swim and London does still have a lot of places to swim. I never regret time spent going swimming, I always leave happy. I joined a local tennis and bowls club years ago and these activities keep me physically fit and because I help to run the club and the club gardens, mentally active. Membership costs money but it's about £230 per year, so it works out cost per play is minimal over that year. We have social events too, quizzes, new year and joint birthday parties in our hall - I consider that I lucked out when I moved near the club, it's a big part of my life and what keeps me happy. It's owned and run by the members we keep costs as low as possible so we can be a community club. I learned to sing over many years, learning music and lyrics to the songs very old and some new really helps keep your mind sharp. I like visiting art galleries and appreciate that there is so much culture in London for a treat when I can afford it. I'm currently working on a GLA Innovation project, Open London, we have an online community where we discuss Health, Social Care, Housing, Green Energy, Sustainability and Green Transport in London, to find out how innovation could help Londoners, it runs until 15th September 2023, please join us if you have anything to add. https://openlondon.crowdicity.com
Show less of commentLondonLife1
Community Member 3 weeks agoI miss swimming. The ladies pond used to be a place where I could swim without being heckled. Since they made it open to anyone who "identifies" as a woman, I no longer feel safe there. I've been heckled by men who identify as women who...
Show full commentI miss swimming. The ladies pond used to be a place where I could swim without being heckled. Since they made it open to anyone who "identifies" as a woman, I no longer feel safe there. I've been heckled by men who identify as women who think having an erection is "no problem."
Show less of commentsuburb1
Community Member 1 year agoHmm.... The assumption here and everywhere, notably in funding and NHS and council community provision, is that there is no such thing as physical disability, only people's emotional discomfort exists. Despite the posts below, mentioning...
Show full commentHmm.... The assumption here and everywhere, notably in funding and NHS and council community provision, is that there is no such thing as physical disability, only people's emotional discomfort exists. Despite the posts below, mentioning being unsafe on the street in a wheelchair, everyone is 100% physically fit. Everyone can "go for a walk" and "go to see friends" and "go to arts and entertainments and museums" and "go and enjoy nature"
Show less of commentdwwein
Community Member 8 months agoSome people are physically disabled, I speak from experience, I’d love be able to go out for a walk but can’t. I have a mobility scooter which I was very lucky to be able to afford but even with that, some places are out due to issues like...
Show full commentSome people are physically disabled, I speak from experience, I’d love be able to go out for a walk but can’t. I have a mobility scooter which I was very lucky to be able to afford but even with that, some places are out due to issues like uneven ground or not enough space to get my scooter through (especially inside). Saying everyone is 100% physically fit is wrong and some people would consider it offensive.
Show less of commentstrangerfromst…
Community Member 1 year agoHi everyone, I am new here. I decided to check with the City Hall's website as a result of being ignored by my local council. I just came to a point to express my feelings. I do think being homeless or not knowing if you will be in a safe...
Show full commentHi everyone, I am new here. I decided to check with the City Hall's website as a result of being ignored by my local council. I just came to a point to express my feelings. I do think being homeless or not knowing if you will be in a safe environment for long or not has a great impact on mental health. Pills are effective, therapy works, being social and having conversation with other people also a bonus, eating somehow helps, but without having a nice sleep everyday and not being able to have your own space(no matter how small or big) is the worst thing that can happen to someone who lives in London. Personally, I think my anxiety is being extremely increased by the life conditionals I am dealing with. Thanks for allowing me to express my thoughts here.
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 1 year agoHello and welcome to Talk London. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
We’re sorry to read about your anxiety and hope that you are able to access support.
You may want to try some online help, if you haven’t already. Organisations like Good Thinking might have some useful ideas, and the Thrive LDN website has a lot of guidance.
If you’re looking for more information to navigate the cost of living, City Hall’s hub might have some relevant support too.
We hope this is helpful.
Take care,
Talk London
noisecontrol2021
Community Member 1 year agoSleepless nights are being caused by neighbourhoods and disturbances from car noise in the form of excessive revving and hooting for no reason at all hours even at night. Why is there no law and order against this in deprived areas? This...
Show full commentSleepless nights are being caused by neighbourhoods and disturbances from car noise in the form of excessive revving and hooting for no reason at all hours even at night. Why is there no law and order against this in deprived areas? This can affect anyone's wellbeing. Every London Council needs CCTV with actual enforcement, and stop any unbearable noise going on during working hours for those working from home and when sleeping at night.
Mary
Community Member 1 year agoIn my neighbourhood what causes a lot of stress and poor mental health is the standard of the environment and this is out of many Londoners control. It is important that leaders understand the issues that cause poor mental health in the...
Show full commentIn my neighbourhood what causes a lot of stress and poor mental health is the standard of the environment and this is out of many Londoners control. It is important that leaders understand the issues that cause poor mental health in the first place.
You walk out of your house and facing you is
Rubbish, fly tipping, litter, filthy frontages, bins left out, poor environmental standards overall
HMOs, noise, poor maintenance of many properties including the social homes. General disrepair and slum like appearance of the area
People using public spaces ie parks as their own space with no consideration for others. playing loud music, large gatherings with ASB, drug taking, public urination etc
Hire bikes everywhere, just dumped with no consideration of others. Cyclists jumping red lights.
Inefficient councils, poor response, no way to talk to anyone directly, full mailboxes, no response to emails, no returned calls. No replies from MP.
Lewisham home’s disgusting management of properties and scarce public assets and disrespect for tenants, the neighbourhood and the tax payer.
Fear of crime, especially among those with teenagers.
I am not exaggerating when I say many of my neighbours say they shut their door on it all as history has taught them Deptford will be ignored
Mental health in our community would be greatly improved by the council and leadership in London understanding the importance of the above and tackling it.
Supportive communities , that help people through difficult times, are breaking down, people are leaving London because of many of the above issues
Ian8534
Community Member 1 year agoBetter social life
Talk London
Official Representative 1 year agoThanks for sharing, Ian8534.
What does a good social life look like to you?
You may find some helpful resources to support you and others to stay connected on this Thrive LDN web page.
Talk London
catandmouse
Community Member 1 year agomy mental health is always suffering nothing works
Talk London
Official Representative 1 year agoWe’re sorry to read this. Please know that support is available for whatever you are going through. You're only one click away from more direct support such as NHS talking therapies or urgent helplines: https://thriveldn.co.uk/help-yourself-and-others/
We hope you can find something that works for you.
Take care,
Talk London
Talk London
Official Representative 1 year agoHi everyone
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and we wanted to share more about how you could become a champion for wellbeing in London.
Conversations about mental health are difficult, but for some they are life-saving. Many Londoners are already having these talks.
City Hall wants to help make sure you can approach them with confidence and compassion.
What can you do?
Take the pledge to champion positive mental health on this City Hall web page. In doing so, you join thousands of Londoners who are making a difference to mental health and wellbeing in their own communities.
By signing up, you’ll receive regular information, including the latest wellbeing training, resources and events, inspiration from fellow Londoners and updates on the work we’re doing at City Hall to better support mental health.
Thanks for joining in!
Talk London
sophiecurzon
Community Member 1 year agoI like to make a simple checklist of items to do in the morning which really help me to feel like I've accomplished something & started my day proactively!
Example of my morning:
I like to make a simple checklist of items to do in the morning which really help me to feel like I've accomplished something & started my day proactively!
Example of my morning:
Talk London
Official Representative 1 year agoThank you for sharing, that sounds like a great way to start the day.
Talk London
T.hmardi
Community Member 1 year agoTalk London
Official Representative 1 year agoThanks for sharing T.hmardi, these sounds like really great ideas!
Walking was mentioned by a few others in this discussion too.
Where's your favourite place to go for a walk in London?
Talk London
Elephant
Community Member 1 year agoI like visiting art museums, galleries, and anything cultural. There are a lot of free events in London but usually very busy or sold out and hard to access for people with mental health issues. a lot of museums don't have concessions. I...
Show full commentI like visiting art museums, galleries, and anything cultural. There are a lot of free events in London but usually very busy or sold out and hard to access for people with mental health issues. a lot of museums don't have concessions. I think in current times of crisis art should be free to all, and it has health benefits!
I have no income and try to access as much free as I can but a lot can still be done like more funding for art therapy workshops, ceramics, painting, performance, etc... to me they are as important to my mental health as eating well and maintaining good fitness.
Show less of commentNOMIO
Community Member 1 year agoI walk my commute, I walk alond the Thames path part of it. Although chunks of the Thames Path have been closed recently in Tower Hamlets and I have to take diversions along some pretty horrific main roads-which takes away some of the...
Show full commentI walk my commute, I walk alond the Thames path part of it. Although chunks of the Thames Path have been closed recently in Tower Hamlets and I have to take diversions along some pretty horrific main roads-which takes away some of the positives! Generally though, walking to work is amazing for my mental health. It Gives me time to think, time to myself, time to be outside, time to listen to music and podcasts-I love it.
Show less of commentshadowman2016
Community Member 1 year agoFor me I find just not reading news sites to be good for my health as there is just so much bad news being reported!
Talk London
Official Representative 1 year agoThanks for sharing shadowman2016.
A few others in this discussion have mentioned this too, as well as going off social media apps.
If you'd like to read more about improving wellbeing and resilience, Thrive LDN have created a space with inspiration and resources: https://thriveldn.co.uk/help-yourself-and-others/
Talk London
Talk London
Official Representative 1 year agoHi everyone,
Today we mark London’s second ever Great Mental Health Day!
We wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences around supporting mental health and wellbeing.
So many of your comments highlight that for many of us our communities, friends and families have played the most important role in in getting us through difficult times together.
This is what Great Mental Health Day is all about – celebrating the power of community kindness and telling the story of how Londoners have come together during challenging times.
Today there are hundreds of free events and initiatives taking place across London, from small groups to large scale walk-in events in sports and community centres. Find out what is going on in your borough: https://thriveldn.co.uk/communications/campaign/great-mental-health-day-2023/ or join an online event: https://thriveldn.co.uk/latest/news-and-blog/all/great-mental-health-day-2023-online-events/
You can also access free resources and online tools to promote good wellbeing throughout the year: https://thriveldn.co.uk/help-yourself-and-others/
As we continue to face challenges like the cost of living crisis, looking after our mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever.
Please keep adding your ideas to this discussion to help and inspire others, or share this with friends and family who may wish to contribute too.
Thank you,
Talk London and the Health and Wellbeing Policy team
Dodger9949
Community Member 1 year agoI try to go out as much as possible but due to other actions this is proving more and more difficult. The pavements are now no longer safe due to being used by escooter users and cyclists plus many pavements are now in such a poor state...
Show full commentI try to go out as much as possible but due to other actions this is proving more and more difficult. The pavements are now no longer safe due to being used by escooter users and cyclists plus many pavements are now in such a poor state. Earlier this year I went down one pavement and it caused damage to my mobility scooter which had to be repaired at my cost. Coupled with this the ULEZ expansion means that the frequency with which I visit my children and grandchildren will be greatly reduced. All in all I may be in a position to leave my home perhaps twice a month. Very depressing.
Show less of commentshadowman2016
Community Member 1 year agoYep, wholeheartedly agree! There has been an explosion in e-scooter use with seemingly zero enforcement of any kind of standards.
As for the state of the roads, some of them would not look out of place in a third world country. It must be...
Show full commentYep, wholeheartedly agree! There has been an explosion in e-scooter use with seemingly zero enforcement of any kind of standards.
As for the state of the roads, some of them would not look out of place in a third world country. It must be horrible to cycle on.
Show less of commentSPEAKMYTRUTH
Community Member 1 year agoIt has been a long road throughout my mental health and in the past two years I have written three self-help blog books on subjects that I feel that I had to address. I share a little of my story and though-provokingly work through a...
Show full commentIt has been a long road throughout my mental health and in the past two years I have written three self-help blog books on subjects that I feel that I had to address. I share a little of my story and though-provokingly work through a solution for my imbalanced brain. www.scriptureofbalance.co.uk/
This was after the death of my Beloved Father.
When I go through mania, I tend to write my articles on Medium and then transfer them to my website. I have written over 170 blogs and keep up the site as it is advertised on my NELCA NHS work profile. https://www.northeastlondonhcp.nhs.uk/elhcp-patient-&-carer-representat…
I did a research project at the beginning of the year in Art Therapy, bearing in mind I had not drawn for over 40 years of my life as I thought I couldn't.
This project was for five months, two days a week and once It was over, I haven't stopped drawing.
I use my own project to reach people so that they know that they are not alone in their thoughts.
I have worked for the past ten years, voluntarily at St Joseph's Hospice in Hackney as a Complementary Therapist in the Neurological Group for a couple hours every other Monday. I love to encourage patients.
The voluntary work that I do for the community.
I work as a Patient Representative for the Northeast & North Central Cancer Alliance. I do some work in Patient Advisory and Psychosocial harm also helping to improve services.
I work for the Psychologial Services (NHS) for Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets as a Patient participant. We are trying to improve the psychological services in NE London. Once a month I chair a focus group and take part on the interview panels for psychologists.
I volunteered as a befriender for Newham Renewal Programme to encourage people throughout the pandemic.
These projects are what help to keep me grounded. They also help me to connect with people who are struggling and let them know that they are not alone.
Show less of commentSPEAKMYTRUTH
Community Member 8 months agoCorrection self-discovery and thought-provoking books, not self-help
cfwhite
Community Member 1 year agoI go for walks.
I co-ordinate a course at the University of the Third Age - U3A
Ebar
Community Member 1 year agoI talk to people around me and socially interact in diverse conversations. However I do like to choose isolation at times walking dog for fresh air and excercise. All help with reduced Anxiety Stress and Anger management techniques. I also...
Show full commentI talk to people around me and socially interact in diverse conversations. However I do like to choose isolation at times walking dog for fresh air and excercise. All help with reduced Anxiety Stress and Anger management techniques. I also listen to people who feel they need to share their problems it often helps to share a veiwpoint.
Show less of commentrosie thompson
Community Member 1 year agoI play a lot of music and see friends. I look after my grandchildren. I read a lot