Mental Health in Waltham Forest

Significant events in local communities or worldwide can have a negative impact on your mental health and wellbeing, whether or not you’ve been impacted directly.  A recent survey in Waltham Forest showed that news stories about negative events such as natural disasters is one of the most common issues affecting our residents’ mental health and wellbeing.

If you have a loved one affected, this can lead to additional feeling of anxiety and distress. Studies also show that too much exposure to news around the world can also negatively impact your emotional health. Taking regular breaks from the news and using the time for self care or activity that will make you feel better can be helpful. 

If you have been affected by a crisis please see below services and resources available to help you look after your general wellbeing, including support for bereavement.

If you are a professional or volunteer supporting those affected by a world crisis or suicide, Thrive London has developed a Trauma-Informed Practice training offer to help professionals and volunteers gain an understanding of the impact of trauma and integrate a trauma informed approach to practice.

Services available

Services available for residents in Waltham Forest that can help your mental health:

• Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org and Samaritans volunteers will listen to your concerns and worries.
• Mental Health Direct (NELFT): Call Mental Health Direct on 0800 995 1000. If your mental health deteriorates, or if you experience thoughts of suicide you can call for mental health help and advice anytime of the day or night. If you live in Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Essex or Kent & Medway, it’s a free phone number which callers will not be charged to use. (Open to callers based in these London boroughs, 24 hours a day all year round.)
• CRUSE: Call 0808 808 1677 and trained volunteers will offer emotional support and advice to anyone affected by bereavement and loss of a loved one. (open Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 3pm)
• Our Five Ways to Wellbeing will help you take action and use local resources to help you stay well and look after your wellbeing during stress or in difficult times

Online resources

• Good Thinking Digital Mental Wellbeing Service provides plenty of online resources that can help help with anxiety, stress, low mood or sleep
• You can find out more ways to look after your wellbeing in over 36 languages in the Thrive LDN Wellbeing Toolkit (it includes English, Arabic, Turkish and other languages to choose from)