Mental Health Awareness Week

Anxiety is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from 15 to 21 May and organised by the Mental Health Foundation. 

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems and there are many different types of anxiety. It’s often described as a feeling of dread, fear or unease which can range from mild to severe.  

Anxiety is a normal emotion for all of us, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem affecting our daily life. Lots of things can make us feel anxious, such as big life events, studies, relationships, health, social situations, or when we are struggling to meet our basic needs, like affording heating. 

Our aim this week is to help everyone living, working or studying in Tower Hamlets know about what anxiety is, how to spot it, how to address it, and where to access support. 

For urgent mental health support - Urgent care and support | Tower Hamlets Connect 

For mental health support (including Talking Therapies) for adults in Tower Hamlets – Mental health services | Tower Hamlets Connect 

For mental health support for children and young people in Tower Hamlets - Mental health support for children and young people (towerhamlets.gov.uk)  

Other mental health support in Tower Hamlets 

• Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham: offers a range of mental health support, advocacy, employment support, bereavement support and more such as the Sakinah Project - Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham  
• Good Thinking: a digital mental wellbeing resource for range of audiences such as young people, parents and carers, faith communities e.g. they have guides on maintaining mental wellbeing tailored to Islamic Teachings, faith-based bereavement resources. This is available in different formats and languages including Somali - Islam | Good Thinking (good-thinking.uk) 
• The Maryam Women’s Services at East London Mosque: provides information, advice and guidance for women including a professional and confidential counselling service for women of all backgrounds provided by female therapists - Maryam Women’s Services | East London Mosque 
• Wellbeing webinars: on a range topics including anxiety: Wellbeing webinars | East London NHS Foundation Trust (elft.nhs.uk) 
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• Coffee Afrik: offer support including peer-peer groups, befriending, gardening, Islam-based substance misuse support - Contact | Coffee Afrik (coffeeafrique.co.uk) 
• Women’s Inclusive Team: offers 1-1 support through community connectors, run sessions on health and wellbeing awareness, and provide information, advice and guidance that is 1 to 1 and confidential - WIT - Women's Inclusive Team 

Five ways to wellbeing  

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to boost your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive, especially during difficult times, and able to get the most out of life.  

These are: 

• connect with the people around you, family, friends, neighbours or your local community through – to learn more please see Staying connected | Tower Hamlets Connect 
• be active: go for a walk or a run, garden, or join on of our sport and physical activities Sports, dance and exercise activities | Tower Hamlets Connect 
• take notice - be curious and aware of the world around you - Mindfulness | Mind in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge (mindthnr.org.uk) 
• keep learning – check out what learning opportunities are available in your local Idea store. Welcome to Idea Store 
• give – volunteer your time for Tower Hamlets Volunteering opportunities in Tower Hamlets 

Good Thinking have ‘Five ways to wellbeing’ tailored guides for different faith and belief communities - Faith and belief communities | Good Thinking (good-thinking.uk) 

Five ways to wellbeing based on Islamic teachings 

The five ways to good mental wellbeing and Islam, are based on NHS advice and are also encouraged in Islamic teachings, they are: 

1. Connect with Allah and with people 
2. Be physically active 
3. Learn something new each day 
4. Give to others 
5. Pay attention to the present moment 

Endorsed by the Muslim Council for Britain, British Islamic Medical Association and The British Board of Scholars and Imams, the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Islam is available in various languages including Somali. There are also videos and accompanying animations on the five ways to wellbeing that can be shared on WhatsApp and across various social media platforms for passing this message on to friends and family.  

Other wider support available  

• See the Council’s Cost of Living support covering housing costs, money and debt, help with food, accommodation, childcare and more - Cost of living (towerhamlets.gov.uk) 
• Residents’ Support Scheme – if you need support because you are either in or at risk of being in crisis and have no financial support – Residents' Support Scheme (towerhamlets.gov.uk) 
• Residents’ Hub - you can also access support for a range of services including domestic abuse, hate crime, housing, welfare benefits, council tax, debt management and more - Residents' Hub (towerhamlets.gov.uk) 
• If you need or someone needs support with translating and interpreting when accessing services- Translating and interpreting services (towerhamlets.gov.uk)