Mental Health and Wellbeing

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What do you do to improve your mental health?

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Great Mental Health Day is about celebrating the small things we can do to boost our own wellbeing and support each other through difficult times.

The fourth edition of Great Mental Health Day is taking place on 31 January 2025.  

This year’s theme is 'Small Actions for Others' and is a reminder that simple gestures, like checking in on one another, can make a big difference to someone’s mental wellbeing. 

The Mayor supports Thrive LDN – a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners and led by the London Health Board.

Join the discussion

For Great Mental Health Day, Thrive LDN wants to hear from you about your mental wellbeing.

  • What do you do to improve your own mental health?
  • What makes you feel connected to others?
  • What do you do to support others in your community?

Let us know in the discussion below. You can also comment on other members’ contributions or click the heart icon to show support.

Your contributions will help Thrive to promote mental wellbeing by sharing examples of Londoners' stories.

Did you know?

One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. And all of us will experience times when we feel low, worried or anxious.

Signs that you may be struggling with your mental health include:

  • problems sleeping
  • losing interest in things you used to enjoy
  • being tearful, irritable or restless
  • feeling tired
  • changes in appetite
  • negative thoughts and feelings.

Looking after your mental health is important. These tips and tools can help keep you mentally well.

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Comments (158)

Avatar for - Colombian spotted frog
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Embrace the community! Join a club, check out ads for local events/classes in your local supermarket, volunteer, see if there are any events on at your local library/community centre. It's so easy to become isolated in today's world but...

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Embrace the community! Join a club, check out ads for local events/classes in your local supermarket, volunteer, see if there are any events on at your local library/community centre. It's so easy to become isolated in today's world but sometimes but sometimes you have to just put yourself out there.

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Connect with nature by going for a walk anywhere there are trees, plants, birds or water. London is becoming overdeveloped but there still some good parks. Just finding somewhere that is away from noise and people rushing about can be very...

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Connect with nature by going for a walk anywhere there are trees, plants, birds or water. London is becoming overdeveloped but there still some good parks. Just finding somewhere that is away from noise and people rushing about can be very calming. Bring nature into your home with plants. Even a visit to a local garden centre can be a treat.

 

Learn some Qigong – or some kind of mindful breathing with gentle movement. 

 

Realise there is a bigger picture to life than the one we are sold by society. You don’t have to be religious or spiritual to do this, just curious and willing to approach everyone and everything you meet with an open heart. 

 

Try and treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. Give unconditionally because you truly care not because you expect something back or feel you should. 

 

Be willing to go with the flow of life. As Ram Dass, the spiritual teacher once said: ‘There are no errors in the game.’ What we have been conditioned to think is bad often has a helpful purpose that cannot be seen at the time. Only when you look back on your life can you see the transforming patterns. 

 

Connect with your senses and discover what makes you feel calm and happy – a certain fragrance, a musical song, a beautiful image, a soft fabric or toy. 

 

Look up! Forget about your smartphones for a while and observe the sky and its beauty; the clouds and birds. Know that you are part of this universal wonder. Stay observant to all that goes on around you and you will never be bored. 

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Make something. Anything. Make food, it you like to cook, make a paper plane, make a piece of knitting or crochet (you may well find there are people around who would love to teach you how, if you don't know), get something from a charity...

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Make something. Anything. Make food, it you like to cook, make a paper plane, make a piece of knitting or crochet (you may well find there are people around who would love to teach you how, if you don't know), get something from a charity shop and embroider on it or sew it into a different thing! There are loads of ideas for all kinds of things crafty and for gardens on Youtube and suchlike. Making things is satisfying. You can often find cheap supplies in charity shops too.

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Have seen something from ThriveLDN to improve mental health of Londoners. With council tax doubled since late last year this has lead to more stress and financial pressure. Did you consider the fact that we were in the midst of a cost of...

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Have seen something from ThriveLDN to improve mental health of Londoners. With council tax doubled since late last year this has lead to more stress and financial pressure. Did you consider the fact that we were in the midst of a cost of living crisis at the time? Living with anti social neighbours on 2 sides adds even more stress (yes the local authority knows and has asked one - 1 - to be more considerate which has had zero effect). It would be helpful to know if there was any impact analysis before raiding our income at the same time as every other utility (Thames Water, etc.)? 

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I write. I read. I walk. I sing. I dance. I learn new things. I speak to people that others may ignore. I work (I enjoy my job). I plan future things. Even though 6 sessions of counselling may be plenty for some, for some like me, it really...

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I write. I read. I walk. I sing. I dance. I learn new things. I speak to people that others may ignore. I work (I enjoy my job). I plan future things. Even though 6 sessions of counselling may be plenty for some, for some like me, it really is just a strip of plaster over a gaping wound so I pay for this myself. Best thing I have ever done but what of those who cannot afford it? Sadly, it was acknowledged that I could benefit from long term support, it was almost a shrug of the shoulders (I could almost hear them shouting next). One size does not fit all when it comes to mental health support. London does have a batch of groups helping and supporting people with their mental health. And I attend when I can. What of those who cannot get to these? So I have the ability to mix and match to help me help myself. 

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly
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I avoid speaking with the local authority.

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  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Walk barefoot on the grass.
  • Exercise.
  • Get a good night's sleep.
  • Look at the sky.
  • Admire and analyze any art.
  • Play an instrument.
  • Eat an apple a day and keep the doctors away from you.
  • Smile at yourself in the mirror.
  • Read...
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  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Walk barefoot on the grass.
  • Exercise.
  • Get a good night's sleep.
  • Look at the sky.
  • Admire and analyze any art.
  • Play an instrument.
  • Eat an apple a day and keep the doctors away from you.
  • Smile at yourself in the mirror.
  • Read books that expand your consciousness.
  • Study quantum physics and know that this is all just a projection, a quantum experience.
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Avatar for - Vaquita
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I have found religious organisations  really helpful. 

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I have found religious organisations  really helpful. 

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It takes effort, but really try to become isolated from people.   Take opportunities to join local clubs and societies and/or volunteer for one of the many many charities locally.   Libraries will have details of local groups:   Book Clubs...

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It takes effort, but really try to become isolated from people.   Take opportunities to join local clubs and societies and/or volunteer for one of the many many charities locally.   Libraries will have details of local groups:   Book Clubs, Environmental pressure groups, food banks, charity shops.   Volunteering doesn't cost anything so good for everyone.   It takes courage to take the first steps, but being with people with shared goals is always comforting.

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Right 2 Thrive UK – Tackling Mental Health in Enfield Through Culture, Care, and Community

At Right 2 Thrive UK, we’re tackling mental health challenges head-on in some of the most deprived areas of Enfield, where persistent knife crime...

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Right 2 Thrive UK – Tackling Mental Health in Enfield Through Culture, Care, and Community

At Right 2 Thrive UK, we’re tackling mental health challenges head-on in some of the most deprived areas of Enfield, where persistent knife crime, fear, and trauma have deeply affected our young people. Based in Edmonton Green, we’ve created a safe, culturally grounded Wellbeing Hub where young people—particularly those from Black communities—can access early, trauma-informed mental health support.

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Avatar for - Vaquita
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some people can get all the help they can but the issues traumatizations bad upbringing and other stuff will always be there in your head there is no magic button to erase it it will always be there for the rest of your life

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please, does the king Charles, may God protectes him and his family, really play golf?

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king Charles has tuned his back on brits

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I cook, walk and read.  Cooking requires shopping which gets me out of the house, as does walking.  I meet and chat to people regularly and they aren't offended if I clearly don't feel up to it.  I saw a lady with ADHD recently on the telly...

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I cook, walk and read.  Cooking requires shopping which gets me out of the house, as does walking.  I meet and chat to people regularly and they aren't offended if I clearly don't feel up to it.  I saw a lady with ADHD recently on the telly, and she said that a lot of mentally unwell people find something they enjoy, and stick to it.  In her case it was Chess - in mine it's cooking.  I am on good terms with my closest neighbours as well as the wider community, and like to think that our chats over the garden wall have been mutually beneficial.

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Avatar for - Koala
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Campaigns to promote other forms of communications away from digital devices and social media, for example, keep sending letters by post. I believe that shift will improve the mental health of millions, specially the youth. 

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Campaigns to promote other forms of communications away from digital devices and social media, for example, keep sending letters by post. I believe that shift will improve the mental health of millions, specially the youth. 

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Avatar for - Sumatran elephant
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Right then, mental health. It's all the rage these days, isn't it? Everyone's talking about their feelings and needing 'self-care'. Seems a bit self-indulgent if you ask me, but what do I know?

If you're asking what I do, well, I've always...

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Right then, mental health. It's all the rage these days, isn't it? Everyone's talking about their feelings and needing 'self-care'. Seems a bit self-indulgent if you ask me, but what do I know?

If you're asking what I do, well, I've always believed in a bit of old-fashioned common sense and getting on with it. We didn't have all these fancy terms back in my day. You felt a bit down, you bucked up. Simple as that.

Now, I'm not saying you should just ignore things, but all this dwelling on your inner turmoil... it can't be healthy. A bit of self-discipline goes a long way. Find something useful to do, keep busy. I always find tinkering in the workshop or even just tackling those little jobs around the house – the ones I usually put off – can take your mind off things.

As for the spiritual side of things, well, I went to Sunday school. A bit of faith and a connection to something bigger than yourself never did anyone any harm, provided it's the genuine article and not all just show.

Family's important, too, if you're lucky enough to have a good one. Strong family ties and reliable relatives can be a real anchor. Someone you can actually talk to without them immediately suggesting you need therapy. Of course, modern life has a way of messing those things up for people, hasn't it?

And a good, solid basic education – learning to think straight, understanding the world around you – that's crucial. Not all this modern fluff, but the fundamentals. It gives you a foundation to stand on, makes you less likely to get swept away by every passing fad or worry.

And there's something to be said for that old British spirit, isn't there? "Keep Calm and Carry On." Not making a fuss, just getting through things. We got through a war with that attitude, so a few little mental wobbles shouldn't be beyond us. It's about resilience and not letting every little thing knock you for six.

So, there you have it. No fancy mindfulness or avocado toast involved. Just self-discipline, maybe a bit of faith

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I have to follow my dreams @davido

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I have been lucky enough to have had exceptional care under a Psychiatrist, through work Private Medical insurance. Whilst I do attribute my recovery to a combination of factors, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions, and...

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I have been lucky enough to have had exceptional care under a Psychiatrist, through work Private Medical insurance. Whilst I do attribute my recovery to a combination of factors, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions, and consistent practise, the single most effective resource recommended to me, and that I'd recommend to anyone is:

 

Overcoming Anxiety (2nd Edition) - Helen Kennerly. 

 

Please be patient with your recovery and continue to look at other resources if you're so inclined, but this is the bible to a strong recovery!

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Please be apart of my CherNobel charity Ukrainian Bomb Shelter List me as a founder if I dislike or unlike Navailimy sainthood brother

 

Listing 

 

Live stronger 

A charitable foundation for ALL remaining after bad times Ukraine ussr war 4 not 5...

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Please be apart of my CherNobel charity Ukrainian Bomb Shelter List me as a founder if I dislike or unlike Navailimy sainthood brother

 

Listing 

 

Live stronger 

A charitable foundation for ALL remaining after bad times Ukraine ussr war 4 not 5 because 5 is love 5 pointed star is Venus route in sky.

 

Free Velos and helmet and reflereflective gear

 

Anyone who shows a cBT cert or doctors cert forperscriptions anti anxiety upward and orliving a drug free clean life 20 NA meet up sign ins 

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly
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I still have problems sleeping. I lose interest in doing the things that bring me joy and contentment weekly. I get tearful sometimes and irritable. I often feel tired and have changes in appetite daily.

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I listen to classical piano and other classical music; Hindu and Tibetan Mantras; and Duas from the Islamic religion. I take medication. I do not drink alcohol. I do not take Class A drugs.


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Your mental health

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STAGE: Programme design

How your feedback has started to shape London’s road to recovery

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November 2020: Workshops with key partners from health, voluntary sectors, local authorities and community organisations

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December 2020: Mental health and wellbeing impact assessments and action planning with London’s Strategic Coordination Group (SCG) – coordinated by Thrive LDN

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February 2021: Briefing our key partners and stakeholder across the health and care sector and developing our early engagement plans

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March 2021: leadership and governance for the mission transferred to the Thrive LDN Advisory Group, working closely with the Leaders’ Group and Social Recovery Board

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April 2021: Thrive LDN led engagement with the mission’s Working Group to revisit the mission narrative, develop project options and to align expectations of our key London partners

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The Mayor launched a citywide public awareness campaign on bereavement to help direct Londoners to information, advice, and support to cope with their grief.

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June - July 2021: Thrive LDN worked in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care to deliver free, one-hour webinars on Bereavement and Loss Awareness, aimed at workers or volunteers supporting bereaved Londoners.

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July 2021: Good Thinking started working with faith groups to support the development of further, culturally competent bereavement resources which will be available from the autumn

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Launch of new wellbeing resource pages on the Thrive LDN website, marking the start of the mission's Wellbeing Campaign

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Renewed commitment to the #ZeroSuicideLondon campaign as we marked World Suicide Prevention Day

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September 2021: Continuation of a pan-London Wellbeing Campaign, focusing on protective factors. Meanwhile, wellbeing training offers for Londoners and those supporting them begun being rolled out

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September - October 2021: Delivery of a further five Bereavement and Loss Awareness webinars, taking the total to ten sessions

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Thrive LDN and the Mayor’s Peer Outreach Team host London’s World Mental Health Day festival, led by and for young Londoners.

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Read about the festival: Never Alone LDN

October 2021: Engagement around the wellbeing champion concept and resources stepped up

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November 2021: Ubele/BAMEStream trial bereavement training offers to support black Londoners

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November 2021: All London boroughs offered free training for councillors supporting mentally healthier conditions for both themselves and the communities they serve via webinars by Thrive LDN

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Marking National Grief Awareness Week, Good Thinking launched a workbook on how to support a bereaved person in a culturally sensitive way

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Winter 2021: Research into existing 'community champions' networks, mapping what already exists in London and opportunities to engage with and support these champions with additional resources, tools and training

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Celebrated London's first Great Mental Health Day, which aims to get us talking about mental health and how we can improve our wellbeing

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Read our blog post on supporting your mental health

Supported Children's Mental Health Week

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Thrive LDN hosted a roundtable on support for children and young people with bereavement and loss, attended by charity partners, policymakers, education sector staff and young Londoners with lived experience of loss

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February 2022: Good Thinking launch faith-based bereavement resources for Buddhism, Judaism and Islam

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Download the faith-based bereavement resources

February 2022: Ubele/BAMEStream hold immersive bereavement workshops for councillors, therapists, community workers and others supporting Londoners from Black or racialised communities experiencing grief, bereavement and loss

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February 2022: Launch of radical self-care training workshops by Thrive LDN in partnership with the Innovation Unit and Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest

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February 2022: projects for the Mayor’s Right to Thrive Innovation Fund underway

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Read more about the Fund

March 2022: Good Thinking launch faith-based bereavement resources for Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism

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Discussion stigma and barriers to bereavement support at the UK Commission on Bereavement Faith Roundtable

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Marked the National Day of Reflection with the UK Commission on Bereavement

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April 2022: Launch of a short guide for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of displaced Ukrainians arriving to the UK

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Click here for the guide, training and further resources

9 - 18 May 2022: Marked Mental Health Awareness Week, including a Thrive LDN hosted panel on loneliness and the cost of living crisis

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16 - 22 May 2022: Celebrated Creativity and Wellbeing Week with a theme of 'get creative, get outdoors;

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Celebrate Right to Thrive projects at event with KCL

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Hold workshop with champion groups to develop wellbeing champion programme and resources

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What do you do to improve your mental health?

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London's Great Mental Health Day 2023

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