"Call the Mental Health Crisis Line. They will help you get the help that you need"

A new campaign encouraging people to contact our 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line – 0800 028 8000 – for urgent mental health support and advice has launched in south west London. The crisis line supports people living in Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, Kingston or Richmond who are affected by urgent mental health issues. It’s open to everyone: both children and adults of all ages, and to people who haven’t previously accessed mental health services.

The campaign, which is running across social media, is a joint initiative between the Trust and NHS South West London. It includes two of our clinicians, nurse and psychotherapist Kirt Hunt and psychiatrist Dr Peju Raji, who feature in images and short videos helping to promote the crisis line and support available to south west Londoners.

In one of the videos, Kirt says: “Please try to access help early. We as healthcare professionals: nurses, doctors, team administrators, we are here to help you as much as we can, ensuring that you get the help and support that you need.

“We try to create environments where you feel safe, where you feel comfortable, where you feel relaxed, so you can have these open, honest conversations about issues around your mental health and wellbeing.”

In another video, Peju says: “Life is tough at the moment. There’s the cost-of-living crisis. People have been through COVID in the last few years and that has been really difficult for many people.

“If you feel like you are not coping, the sooner you access mental healthcare, the better for you. You’ll get the treatment quicker and you’ll recover sooner. The Mental Health Crisis Line is staffed by professionals. They will help you get the help that you need.”

More information about the campaign and a social media toolkit can be found here: Mental health - Crisis line and Kooth - South West London ICS