You are not alone: the Holistic Helper's Guide to mental health services in the city   12 Aug 2014

Tricia Alach

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A sad day for the world - Robin Williams, beloved actor and comedian - committed suicide in an act most are attributing to his long battle with depression. For many people understanding how someone so funny could also be so sad is a difficult task but I work with people who live with a mental health condition and, in many cases, there is no obvious sign that the person is struggling. Additionally, the stigma attached to any sort of perceived mental ill health means that many people are unwilling to seek the help they need and continue to suffer alone which can both exacerbate the initial symptoms and contribute to the person feeling even more alienated and isolated over time.

Estimates are that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health issues at some point in their lives with anxiety and depression listed as the most common. The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2020 depression will be the most prevalent illness in the world and these conditions are said to hit city dwellers more so than country folk.

The good news is that help is out there and accessible to most if you are able to ask for it. This is by no means a definitive list but hopefully it provides a good place to start when looking for support in the city.

The NHS

Say what you will about the NHS but this service is doing a great deal to provide a range of mental health support services across all parts of its operation. For a full list, including links of NHS services in this area click here

GP Surgeries

One of the main planks of the NHS plan to respond to increased demand in this area is to make Talk Therapy or Counselling available in more GP surgeries. This makes a visit to your GP the best place to start if you are struggling and need some help. Even if your local surgery doesn’t have counselling on-site, the doctor will be able to refer you to a nearby provider. Many of these services are offered free or at a low cost.

GPs can also provide pharmaceutical based therapy e.g. anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications if they feel these are necessary but often in conjunction with counselling or other form of cognitive therapy. This is because medication on its own does little to identify and address the underlying causes of these conditions, tends to become less effective over time and often has quite unpleasant side effects.

It’s important that you are really honest with your GP about how you are feeling, both mentally and physically as well as any behaviour that is making it hard for you to function in your day to day life. This includes being honest about how much you are drinking, any issues with sleep, overeating, working too much or any form of self-harm. This will help the doctor make a more accurate diagnosis and be able to discuss with you the treatment options going forward.

MBSR Courses

Although initially slow to embrace ‘alternative’ approaches, many medical professionals are now prescribing a particular form of meditation to help manage anxiety and depression. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses have become a popular choice in this regard both for the immediate effect undertaking such a course can have on the person’s condition and for the life-long techniques these courses teach.

MBSR courses are available across London at a range of prices so it’s a good idea to ask your GP or counsellor for a referral. Buddhist Centres across the city also offer mindfulness courses at low cost and residents of certain suburbs may even find that some places are free. For example some places are available to Tower Hamlets residents via Breathing Space

Many yoga studios and wellness clinics will also offer mindfulness courses though it’s important to realise that those teaching the course may not be a qualified mental health professional or equipped to assess and advise on your particular needs.  Still these courses are an excellent place to start and may be taken in conjunction with other therapies. For those suffering more from pressure, stress and a sense of being overwhelmed rather than clinical depression or anxiety this approach can be very effective in helping you regain and maintain a sense of control over your life.

Mental Health Charities

The charity sector has long supported those with mental health issues and is experiencing an increasing demand for services at a time when funding is being cut. Again, your GP is a good place to start to find out about services in your local area or you can look at the MIND website for an overview and to find your local office. They also have a phone service offering information and advice.

Local charities vary in the approach they take and what’s on offer so have a look around to see what fits best for you. The Stress Project in North London is a charity that works closely with the local medical community, MIND and other council funded service providers to provide complementary therapy to those living with stress related illnesses or a mental health condition.

I volunteer here as a reflexologist offering treatments as part of the drop in clinic which is open to anyone and as part of the therapists programme in which doctor or self-referred clients can experience a course of regular treatments. What clients like about this integrated approach is that they can benefit from what each type of specialist has to offer and that each approach serves to complement and reinforce the other.

So don’t be shy about seeking help. The city is full of people who are there to help you through a short time rough patch or with managing a long term condition. You just have to ask.

About the author:

Natural Therapist and Wellness Coach, Tricia Alach specialises in working with busy people who want to relax, rebalance and revitalise their lives. Visit www.flowmindandbody.com or follow her @tricialach or on facebook for tips on how to live happier, healthier and more holistically in each and every day.

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