Looking after Londoners' mental health over the winter months

With food, energy, fuel and living costs spiralling to record levels one in five Londoners (19%) are struggling to make ends meet. We know more and more individuals, families and communities are feeling the pressure. Debt Free Advice has reported that overall enquiries to their helpline are up 300% year on year, and mental health support organisations are seeing huge increases in calls for urgent help and advice in relation to money worries.

We brought a panel of experts together to explore:

• the range of mental health and wellbeing support available to Londoners, not only for individuals, but also for those able to reach out within their communities to help others who may be struggling.
• how a collaborative approach will broaden understanding of support needed as we move through the winter.
• how we can encourage Londoners to strengthen their social networks with family members and friends, and trusted others in their community – which we know is going to be a significant factor in supporting people during this period.

Our panellists:

• Kev Clelland, Director of Insights and Engagement, YGAM
• Matt Dronfield, Managing Director, Debt Free Advice
• Priscila Hernandez, Project Officer, Thrive LDN
• Dr Imrana Siddiqui GP, clinical lead for mental health, North East London ICB

The team at Good Thinking have put together a list of all the resources that the panel and webinar attendees highlighted during the discussion: