Londoners are being advised to take care of their minds as well as their bodies as the Covid-19 lockdown continues to disrupt daily life.
Research by the Greater London Authority shows that nearly a third of Londoners feel more lonely since the outbreak.
And data from the ONS reveals that over four in five adults (84%) are worried about the effect that the coronavirus is having on their life.
Just over half of adults (53%) say the pandemic is affecting their wellbeing. This is especially true for those with an underlying health condition (55%).
Figures released by King’s College London and IPSOS Mori, meanwhile, show that half of people (49%) feel more anxious or depressed than normal, with 38% sleeping worse than they normally do.
Londoners are being signposted to online mental health resources available through the NHS-approved digital wellbeing service, Good Thinking, and the Greater London Authority (GLA).
Good Thinking, the capital’s digital mental wellbeing service, provides a comprehensive digital support offer for Londoners. Over the past three weeks, Good Thinking has received a 42% increase in new users.
London partners, including The Mayor of London, the NHS in London, and London Councils, are taking a coordinated approach through the Thrive LDN movement to coordinate a collective response to the public mental health challenges which are developing in London.
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Dr Jacqui Dyer MBE, Mental Health Equalities Champion for NHS England and Co-Lead of Thrive LDN, said: “The outcomes and impact of Covid-19 will be shared by all Londoners.
“It’s so important that all Londoners take care of their mental wellbeing as well as their physical health over the challenging weeks and months ahead of us.
“We know that now more than ever before, we need to be kind – and to think and talk more about mental health and wellbeing in our neighbourhoods, in our friendship groups and with work colleagues.
“Through Thrive LDN, we are working on ways of reaching and supporting people at a community level who are not online or who cannot access online tools.
“If anyone is seriously worried or concerned don’t be afraid to use helplines like SHOUT or The Silver Line, to connect with people who are there to listen and help you cope. Remember – you’re not alone and there is support available for you. We are all in this together.”
Eleanor Kelly, deputy chair of London’s Strategic Coordination Group, said: “These are hugely challenging times for Londoners. So it’s vitally important that people are aware of the resources offered by Good Thinking and the GLA to help them look after their mental health.
“By thinking and talking more about our mental health, we will help each other to get through this crisis.”
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