Mental health and wellbeing

Good mental wellbeing is fundamental to our physical health, our relationships, our education, our work and to achieving our potential. It can help us to cope with life’s problems and to enjoy the good things.

Five ways to wellbeing

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are a set of steps that any of us can take to improve upon our wellbeing:

  • connect - with the people around you, family, friends, colleagues and neighbours
  • be active - go for a walk or a run, garden, play a game
  • take notice - be curious and aware of the world around you
  • keep learning - try a new recipe, learn a new language, set yourself a challenge
  • give - do something nice for somebody, volunteer, join a community group.

Mental health issues are very common, affecting about 1 in every 4 people in Britain in any given year. Mental health problems can range from very common disorders such as depression and anxiety, to severe problems such as psychosis. Generally, if you are concerned about your mental health you should see your GP for advice and treatment. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis – you can call 0800 073 0003.

The mental health crisis line is available 24 hours a day and callers will be given support and advice from mental health professionals. 

Specialist services

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) offers a wide range of specialist treatment packages to children, young people and their families. Contact: 0207 515 6633 (Poplar) or 0207 426 2375 (Whitechapel) or online.

Tower Hamlets Early Detection Service (THEDS) is a small team comprised of mental health nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists who aim is to support young people aged 16-25 who have experienced symptoms of mental illness to help getting their lives back on track. Contact: 0203 487 1320.

Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies provides a range of psychological therapies and counselling services. The service is provided by East London NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham. Contact: 020 8475 8080

Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham is a community mental health charity that provides advice and support to anyone with a mental health or emotional issue. They also provide free counselling for Tower Hamlets residents.

Contact: 020 7510 4247/4248 or email info@mithn.org.uk.

Inspire Mental Health Consortium delivers new mental health, recovery and wellbeing services, to improve the outcomes and life chances for people living with mental health problems in Tower Hamlets.

Contact: 0330 053 8122 or email enquiry@inspire-wellbeing.org.uk.

Tower Hamlets Recovery College is an NHS service that provides free courses to help support recover, including tools and strategies to gain a deeper understanding of yourself ad your experiences, education about mental and physical health, tips of practical life skills and how to get involved in study and work opportunities.

The courses are for anyone who lives, works, studies, care for someone or accesses service in Tower Hamlets. 

Supporting mental health in the workplace:

We are keen to encourage all local businesses to improve mental health for their employees as well as the wider community. Here are some of the actions we have taken as a council:

  • signed up to the Time to Change Employer Pledge to address mental health in the workplace, making sure employees who are facing mental health issues feel supported
  • achieved accreditation with London Healthy Workplace Charter status, which includes a number of actions to address employee mental health and wellbeing
  • provided Mental Health First Aid training to over 200 local employees, These staff members have become instructors and can now train other members of staff
  • set up a local Time to Change Employer’s Forum to encourage other local employers to sign the pledge, as well as share knowledge and resources.

Further information and employer resources

Time to Change Resources

  • guides and toolkits (including guides on running events and funding projects)
  • free downloads of promotional material (that can be personalised)
  • digital magazine with topical information
  • research and reports

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Resources

Guidance on mental wellbeing at work with a series of tools, including a business case template, a costing tool and advice for small and medium sized businesses.

Mental Health Foundation

Provide a series of ‘How to...’ guides to support individuals with their mental health (eg. ‘How to manage and reduce stress’; ‘How to look after your mental health using mindfulness’).

Mind

A range of resources on mental health at work, including ‘How to take stock of mental health in your workplace’ and a ‘Guide for small businesses’.

The Business Disability Forum and the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion are membership organisations which provide a range of resources to their fee-paying members.